Oasis Orthopedic & Spine is a leading provider in minimally-invasive spine surgeries. We are avid researchers for innovative techniques and teachers for fellow surgeons around the world.
Chronic back pain transforms everyday activities into daunting challenges, limiting your possibilities and diminishing your quality of life. Chronic pain can make simple tasks overwhelming and enjoyable activities impossible. Minimally invasive spine surgery offers a path to relief with smaller incisions, less tissue damage, and faster recovery times than traditional open procedures.
For many New Jersey residents, the prospect of spine surgery brings both hope and anxiety, with concerns about extensive recovery periods and surgical complications. At Oasis Medical Group, we provide advanced minimally invasive spine surgery options for patients throughout New Jersey. Our experienced medical team specializes in the latest techniques that can address various spinal conditions while minimizing surgical trauma and helping you return to your normal activities as soon as possible.
Minimally invasive surgeries generally reduce the need for large incisions and lengthy healing periods. When treating spinal conditions, we use small incisions and specialized instruments. These incisions are generally less than two centimeters long, helping us preserve muscles, tissues, and ligaments. Minimally invasive surgeries also help us reduce blood loss.
Smaller incisions might require specialized instruments, as these will allow your surgeon to reach spaces where they would otherwise need larger cuts. These might include microscopes, endoscopes, and robotic systems. Your surgeon might increase their ability to see properly with a camera they can insert into your body, projecting what the camera sees onto a screen in the operating room.
Just because a surgery is minimally invasive does not necessarily mean there are limitations in the treatment. In fact, we can use minimally invasive spine surgery to treat several medical issues and conditions, including the following:
If you want to learn more about whether you’re a good candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery, we encourage you to reach out to a qualified provider at Oasis Medical Group for support. During your consultation, we can help assess your medical condition, discuss your surgical and medical history, and explore your treatment options. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions or if you’re ready to get started.
Following your consultation, we’ll be able to schedule your surgical procedure. However, your minimally invasive spine surgery will not necessarily look the same as another person’s, as the specific procedure depends on the condition we’ll be treating.
You’ll be put under sedation, though the strength of the sedative will depend on your anxiety levels and what treatment we’ll be performing. Treatments that require patients to be completely unconscious and unresponsive will require general anesthesia, while others may only require oral sedation or local anesthesia. If you have any concerns about this, be sure to speak with your provider about your preferences or if you have a history of complications with anesthesia.
After you’ve been sedated, we can start making small incisions. Then we’ll use specialized instruments to perform the actual surgery. This might involve removing a herniated disc, fusing vertebrae, or other procedures. We’ll then close up the incision sites and monitor you to ensure you’re stable after surgery
At Oasis Medical Group, we leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance the precision, safety, and effectiveness of our minimally invasive spine procedures. Our investment in advanced surgical tools allows our specialists to perform complex operations through smaller incisions while minimizing tissue disruption and optimizing outcomes.
Our procedures employ sophisticated navigation technology similar to GPS systems, providing real-time, three-dimensional imaging of your spine during surgery. This technology allows our surgeons to visualize critical structures that aren’t directly visible through small incisions, enabling precise instrument placement within millimeters of accuracy. This enhanced precision significantly reduces the risk of damage to surrounding nerves, blood vessels, and healthy tissue.
Our state-of-the-art endoscopes feature miniature high-definition cameras that transmit magnified images to monitors in the operating room. These specialized instruments allow surgeons to see detailed anatomical structures through incisions smaller than a dime. The exceptional visualization enables our team to perform delicate procedures with unparalleled accuracy while minimizing surgical trauma to surrounding tissues.
We utilize custom-designed instruments specifically created for minimally invasive spine procedures. These tools feature innovative designs that allow for effective surgery through tiny access ports. From expandable retractors that gently separate muscle fibers to instruments with articulating tips that can navigate around sensitive structures, our specialized equipment supports optimal surgical outcomes while preserving healthy tissue.
During procedures near delicate nerve structures, we employ sophisticated neuromonitoring technology that continuously tracks nerve function throughout surgery. This real-time feedback alerts surgeons instantly if a surgical maneuver risks affecting nerve pathways, adding an additional layer of safety to complex procedures.
Our surgical suites integrate multiple imaging modalities, including fluoroscopy and CT scanning capabilities, providing our surgeons with comprehensive structural information during procedures. This multi-modal approach enhances surgical planning and execution while reducing radiation exposure compared to traditional techniques.
By combining these advanced technologies with our surgeons’ extensive expertise, we provide spine procedures that maximize effectiveness while minimizing recovery time, allowing you to return to your normal activities more quickly and with less discomfort than traditional surgical approaches.
Understanding what to expect during recovery from minimally invasive spine surgery can help you prepare mentally and physically for the healing process. While each patient’s experience varies based on their specific procedure and overall health.
The following is a general timeline of what you might experience:
Immediately after surgery, our medical team will monitor your vital signs and pain levels closely. You may experience some discomfort around the incision sites, which we’ll manage with appropriate pain medication. Many patients are surprised by their ability to stand and walk shortly after surgery, though assistance will be provided. During this phase, focus on rest and gentle movement as directed by your care team.
Upon returning home, you’ll need to keep incisions clean and dry while following specific wound care instructions. Limited activity is recommended, with short walks encouraged to promote circulation and prevent complications. You’ll likely need to avoid bending, lifting, or twisting movements. Many patients begin transitioning from prescription pain medications to over-the-counter options during this period as discomfort naturally diminishes.
As healing progresses, you’ll notice gradual mobility improvement and pain reduction. Most patients attend follow-up appointments around the two-week mark for incision checks and assessment of initial recovery progress. Depending on your specific procedure and healing status, your surgeon may clear you for increased activity and possibly begin physical therapy to strengthen supporting muscles and improve flexibility.
By this stage, most patients experience significant improvement in their original symptoms. Daily activities generally become easier, and many return to light work duties, especially if they have desk jobs. Your physical therapy regimen may intensify to help rebuild strength and endurance. While complete internal healing continues for several more months, external evidence of surgery typically fades, and many patients feel they’ve returned to a “new normal” with substantially improved quality of life.
When considering spine surgery, understanding the fundamental differences between traditional open procedures and minimally invasive techniques can significantly impact your treatment decision. Both approaches aim to address the underlying spinal condition, but they differ considerably in methodology and patient experience.
Traditional open spine surgery typically involves a single incision measuring five to six inches or longer to provide the surgeon with direct visualization of the spine. This approach requires cutting through skin, muscle, and other tissues, then retracting these structures to access the surgical site. While this technique offers excellent visibility and has been the standard for decades, it comes with notable drawbacks, including extended hospital stays, typically three to five days, substantial blood loss, significant post-operative pain, and recovery periods often spanning three to six months before returning to normal activities.
In contrast, minimally invasive spine surgery utilizes specialized instruments and imaging technology to access the spine through incisions typically smaller than two centimeters. Rather than cutting muscles, surgeons use tubular retractors to create corridors between muscle fibers, significantly reducing tissue damage. The result is considerably less blood loss, reduced risk of infection, and markedly decreased post-operative pain. Most patients return home within 24 to 48 hours, many as outpatients, and can resume light activities within days rather than weeks.
Recovery timelines also differ dramatically, with minimally invasive procedures often allowing patients to return to work and daily activities within 4-6 weeks, compared to several months for traditional approaches. Long-term outcomes show comparable effectiveness in addressing the underlying conditions, but minimally invasive patients typically experience less muscle weakness, reduced scarring, and fewer complications related to extended immobility.
Not every spinal condition can be addressed through minimally invasive techniques. Complex deformities or revisions of previous surgeries may still require traditional approaches. During your consultation at Oasis Medical Group, our specialists will thoroughly evaluate your specific condition to determine which surgical approach offers you the optimal balance of effectiveness and recovery considerations.
There are many pros and cons to consider when looking at different treatment types for a spinal condition. The following are some of the most prominent benefits associated with minimally invasive spine surgery:
Of course, minimally invasive spine surgery may come with certain drawbacks, depending on your specific procedure. It doesn’t work for every spine issue, and initial costs for the surgery may feel higher. However, we frequently find the pros far outweigh the cons and advocate for patients getting less invasive procedures whenever possible.
At Oasis Medical Group, our board-certified spine specialists bring decades of combined experience in minimally invasive surgical techniques to patients across New Jersey and New York. We take pride in our patient-centered approach, offering comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific condition and lifestyle needs. Our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with the latest diagnostic and surgical technology, allowing us to provide the highest standard of care with optimal outcomes and minimal recovery times.
We understand deciding on spine surgery is a significant step in your healthcare journey, which is why our team is committed to walking alongside you every step of the way. From your initial consultation through your post-operative care, we provide compassionate support, clear communication, and exceptional medical expertise to help you regain your mobility and quality of life. To learn more about our minimally invasive spine surgery options or to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists, call us at (866) 508-5767 or complete our contact form.
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