Minimally Invasive Lumbar Fusion Surgery

Pre-Op & Aftercare

What to expect before, during and after minimally invasive lumbar fusion surgery

Minimally invasive lumbar fusion uses a smaller incision than traditional surgery. Because it’s not an open surgical procedure, minimally invasive lumbar fusion surgery doesn’t cut away muscle. Instead, your surgeon makes a small incision to directly access your spine, then gently pushes away the muscles of your back with a special tool. Your surgeon then fuses together your vertebrae.

There are a few different approaches when conducting lumbar fusion surgery:

1. A bone graft is added to a part of the spine.
2. A fixed bone replaces a mobile joint, which stops motion within that part of the joint.
3. A biological response is triggered, which causes bone to grow between two vertebrae.

All of these approaches produce the same result—bone fusion preventing movement and creating stability.

Benefits

Discover the advantages

Minimally invasive lumbar fusion surgery offers several advantages over more extensive surgery. During open surgery, surgeons usually make large incisions and may need to strip away muscle. Open surgeries also require more anesthesia, which presents its own set of risks. Patients who undergo open surgery also need to stay in the hospital longer to recover and recuperate.

Minimally invasive lumbar fusion surgery only requires small incisions so there is less scarring. Because there are only small incisions made, there’s also less blood loss and reduced risk of muscle or nerve damage.

When you undergo minimally invasive lumbar fusion surgery, it can sometimes be done as an outpatient/same-day procedure or only involve a one-night stay in the hospital. Patients who do remain in the hospital are there for a shorter time because rehabilitation is not as extensive. A faster recovery time means you can return to your daily activities quickly and with less post-operative pain. You also don’t need as much pain medications following the procedure.