Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Specialist
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Next Generation Orthopedic & Spine Institute
Anthony Owusu, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon & Spine Surgeon located in San Antonio, TX & Spring, TX
Minimally invasive surgery makes the whole process of surgery easier, including recovery time and scarring. Dr. Anthony Owusu uses minimally-invasive surgical techniques whenever appropriate at Next Generation Orthopedic & Spine Institute. Call the Shavano Park, Texas practice or use the online booking option to take the first steps toward relief.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Q & A
What is minimally invasive surgery?
Minimally invasive surgery involves laparoscopic tools to perform surgery through smaller incisions than traditional operations. Open surgery requires your surgeon to make one large incision down the length of the back and strip the muscle off the bone to access the spine.
Minimally invasive surgery allows Dr. Owusu to insert tiny tools through slight incisions and access the spine without disrupting the muscles. First, Dr. Owusu creates a tiny puncture wound and inserts a lighted telescope into the wound. The telescopic camera shows magnified video from inside the body so Dr. Owusu can perform surgery with accuracy and precision.
Next, Dr. Owusu inserts a tubular retractor into other little incisions to form a passageway between the spinal column and the outside. Then, he passes small surgical instruments and supplies through the tubes to carry out the rest of the operation.
What procedures can you perform using minimally invasive techniques?
Dr. Owusu makes every effort to use minimally invasive surgery whenever it’s appropriate. Technological advances continue to make more procedures available with minimally invasive techniques.
Two operations that Dr. Owusu commonly performs using minimally invasive techniques include decompression and fusion.
Decompression
Surgeries to relieve compression include discectomy and laminectomy. During a discectomy, Dr. Owusu removes parts of a disc that presses on the spinal cord. Laminectomy involves removing the back wall of the spinal canal to relieve compression for those with spinal stenosis.
Fusion
Fusion is a surgery to fuse together painful vertebrae so they form one unit. Fusion helps stabilize the spine for those who have spinal problems such as disc degeneration and scoliosis.
What are the advantages of minimally invasive surgery?
Because minimally invasive surgery causes less disruption to the body, the surgery often lasts less time and requires a shorter recovery period. It also shortens your hospital stay.
The smaller incisions required create less blood loss and minimize scarring. Minimally invasive techniques also tend to result in less post-surgical pain.
To learn more about your surgical options, contact Dr. Owusu over the phone or through the online booking button.
