Minimally Invasive Surgical of Cervical Spine

Cervical Spine 2Over the last decade there have been tremendous advances in neurosurgery and especially in spine surgery. One of the areas of improvement is how surgeons can now approach to the spine by using ever smaller incisions.  This advancement is called minimally-invasive spine surgery and can mean less tissue trauma. This approach can allow for a shorter hospital stay and faster post-operative recovery.  This is especially important for those who need to return to work or athletics more quickly after a major operation. 

Minimally invasive surgery is directly able to reduce significant post operative pain and tissue scarring, which can delay return to full activity. 

The goals of minimally-invasive techniques include:

  • reduced surgical complications
  • reduced surgical blood loss
  • reduced use of post-op pain medicines
  • reduced length of hospital stay (outpatient surgery)
  • and increased speed of return to daily activities

Cervical spine trauma or just age related “wear and tear” can result in degenerative disease in our youth  Neck injury is also a common sports related injury.  In both athletes and non-athletes cervical spine injuries and degeneration may require cervical spine surgery if there are significant symptoms and physical deficits.  The typical anterior fusion approach to the cervical spine surgery works well but can lead to several months of recovery if you are an athlete or involved in a physical occupation.

An alternative surgical approach can occasionally can be used, referred to as the minimally invasive posterior approach, to treat the cervical spine. This approach uses an approximately 1 cm incision from the back of the neck where we are able to remove the pressure from the exiting nerve root(s) to the arms, cause by either a herniated disc or bone spur without requiring to do a fusion.  This allows the patient to return to work or athletics much sooner in most cases.  We have a large series of patients including athletes who have successfully undergone this approach.  Learn more about the posterior cervical approach HERE

Disclaimer

Tri-State Neurosurgical Associates-UPMC
Office Addresses:
Administrative Oakland Office
Presbyterian University Hospital
Department of Neurosurgery
Suite 5C
200 Lothrop Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 1-888-234-4357

© 2014 Tri-State Neurosurgical Associates – UPMC