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Oasis now offers Virtual Consultations for your initial evaluation.
Oasis now offers Virtual Consultations for your initial evaluation.
Chronic back pain, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis can transform daily activities into overwhelming challenges. When conservative treatments fail to provide relief, the prospect of traditional spine surgery with extensive incisions, prolonged hospital stays, and months of recovery can feel daunting.
At Oasis Orthopedic & Spine, our board-certified spine surgeons specialize in minimally invasive procedures that offer effective solutions with smaller incisions, reduced tissue damage, and faster recovery times. Serving Summit and the broader Northern New Jersey region, we combine advanced surgical techniques with comprehensive orthopedic care to help patients reclaim their quality of life.
Minimally invasive spine surgery represents a significant advancement in treating spinal conditions. Unlike traditional open surgery that requires large incisions and extensive muscle dissection, these techniques utilize specialized instruments and imaging technology to access the spine through small incisions, typically less than an inch long. Surgeons use tubular retractors that gently separate muscle fibers rather than cutting through them, preserving the natural architecture of the spine. Real-time imaging guidance, including fluoroscopy or navigation systems, ensures precise placement of instruments and implants throughout the procedure.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, minimally invasive spine surgery avoids significant damage to the muscles surrounding the spine, typically resulting in less pain after surgery and a faster recovery compared to traditional open procedures. The benefits extend beyond the operating room. Patients typically experience shorter hospital stays, with many procedures performed on an outpatient basis, and quicker returns to normal activities. The reduced tissue trauma means less scarring, decreased blood loss during surgery, and lower risk of infection. Many patients can recover in the comfort of their own homes, maintaining the same surgical effectiveness as traditional methods while substantially improving the patient experience and reducing recovery time.
Minimally invasive techniques can effectively address a wide range of spinal conditions affecting patients throughout Northern New Jersey. Herniated discs occur when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through the outer layer, potentially compressing nearby nerves and causing pain, numbness, or weakness that radiates into the arms or legs. Through microdiscectomy or lumbar endoscopic discectomy, surgeons can remove the problematic disc material with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues, often achieving immediate relief of nerve compression symptoms.
Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on nerves, affects many adults and can cause significant limitations in walking, standing, and daily activities. This condition can be treated through procedures like endoscopic laminectomy, which removes portions of bone or tissue compressing the nerves while maintaining spinal stability. The minimally invasive approach to decompression allows for the precise removal of only the offending structures, preserving healthy bone and ligaments that provide spinal support.
Degenerative disc disease, compression fractures from osteoporosis, and certain types of spinal instability can also be addressed through minimally invasive fusion procedures that join vertebrae together using small incisions and specialized hardware. These conditions often develop gradually over time, but when they significantly impact quality of life and fail to respond to conservative care, surgical intervention becomes a viable option. Disc degeneration and bulging discs are among the common issues that can benefit from these advanced surgical approaches.
Our spine surgeons utilize several advanced minimally invasive techniques to address various spinal conditions. Each approach is selected based on the specific anatomy, condition severity, and individual patient needs to optimize surgical outcomes while minimizing tissue disruption.
Endoscopic foraminotomy enlarges the space where nerve roots exit the spinal column, relieving pressure caused by bone spurs or herniated discs. These procedures use a small tube equipped with a high-definition camera and surgical instruments, allowing surgeons to visualize the surgical site on a monitor while working through incisions smaller than a dime. The endoscopic approach provides magnified views of the operative field, enabling surgeons to identify and address sources of nerve compression with exceptional precision. Water irrigation during the procedure maintains clear visualization while minimizing heat generation from surgical instruments.
When spinal instability requires fusion, minimally invasive approaches offer several advanced options. Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and lateral lumbar interbody fusion place bone grafts and implants between vertebrae through small incisions, promoting bone growth that eventually fuses the segments together. These techniques achieve spinal stability while preserving muscle attachments and reducing approach-related complications. The lateral approach, in particular, avoids disruption of the posterior spinal muscles entirely, accessing the spine from the side of the body. Anterior lumbar interbody fusion and posterior lumbar interbody fusion provide additional options based on the specific anatomy and needs of each patient.
Laser spine surgery uses focused light energy to remove damaged disc tissue or decompress nerves with exceptional precision. This technology allows for extremely targeted treatment, further minimizing damage to healthy tissue while achieving therapeutic goals. The laser energy can vaporize small amounts of disc material, reducing pressure within the disc and alleviating nerve compression without the need for extensive tissue removal.
Recovery timelines vary based on the specific procedure, the patient’s overall health, and the severity of the initial condition. However, most patients undergoing minimally invasive spine surgery experience significantly shorter recovery periods compared to traditional approaches. Many procedures allow patients to walk within hours of surgery, and most can return to light activities within days to weeks rather than months. The reduced muscle trauma means less pain medication is typically required during recovery, and patients can begin rehabilitation activities sooner.
Physical therapy plays an important role in recovery, helping patients regain strength, flexibility, and proper movement patterns. The reduced tissue trauma from minimally invasive techniques typically allows therapy to begin sooner than with traditional surgery, accelerating the overall recovery process. Your physical therapist will work with you to develop an individualized program that progresses safely based on your specific procedure and recovery milestones. Most patients can resume normal daily activities within four to six weeks, though return to strenuous activities or heavy lifting may require additional time based on your surgeon’s recommendations and your specific healing progress.
Oasis Orthopedic & Spine brings together specialized expertise in both orthopedic care and spine surgery, providing comprehensive treatment for musculoskeletal conditions throughout Northern New Jersey. Our team utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging and surgical technology to develop personalized treatment plans that prioritize minimally invasive options whenever appropriate. From initial consultation through recovery, we focus on helping patients achieve lasting relief and improved function with the least invasive approach possible while maintaining the highest standards of surgical excellence.
We understand that spine surgery is a significant decision, and our surgeons take time to thoroughly explain your condition, discuss all treatment options, and answer your questions. Whether you’re dealing with low back pain, sciatica, or spine and neck pain, our team is committed to providing expert care close to home. Request an appointment to explore your treatment options and take the first step toward relief.
Oasis Orthopedic & Spine - East Orange
Mon-Fri: 9am to 7pm
Sat: 9am to 1pm
Address: 200 Freeway Dr. E, East Orange, NJ 07018
