Low back pain affects nearly everyone at one time or another. When it does strike, you should check in with your doctor to get started on the right treatment for your specific condition. Treatments for back pain may include:
- Physical therapy
- Medication
- Injections
- Chiropractic care
- Massage
- Exercise
- Surgery
Most active people benefit from conservative treatments for their back pain or sciatica. Sometimes pain and limited mobility continues even after your best efforts with conservative measures have been exhausted, and surgery may be required to correct your condition.
If your doctor recommends surgery for your back pain, you need to take time to understand your surgery and to find the best NJ neurosurgeon for your condition. Different doctors use different surgical techniques for their patients with back pain. Different surgical approaches to back pain may include a standard open procedure or a minimally invasive spine surgery.
Many New Jersey residents with back pain seek out surgeons who perform minimally invasive spine surgery in NJ. Why? Because this type of surgery has proven to be a safe and effective way to rapidly get back to your normal activity and function when dealing with back pain. If you have back pain, you should take the time to learn about minimally invasive spine surgery in NJ and find the best doctor for your condition.
What is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
Minimally invasive spine surgery is an innovative surgical approach to back pain that specially trained neurosurgeons are performing. Back pain and sciatica is typically caused when spinal structures pinch nerves in your back. The surgery is performed to help take pressure off of those nerves and to stabilize your spine.
Minimally invasive spine surgery requires only a tiny incision in your back. During the surgery, your back muscles are gently spread apart by specialized tools, and then surgical instruments are used to remove material that is pinching your nerves. Once your nerves are freed, the instruments are removed and your surgical incisions will be sutured.
Compared to the standard open approach to spine surgery, the minimally invasive approach has advantages. The open approach requires your back muscles to be dissected off of your spinal bones, whereas the minimally invasive approach only requires those muscles to be spread apart or dilated.
This means less risk of infection from the surgery and less blood loss. Sparing your low back muscles also means a faster recovery time and quick return to your active lifestyle.
Many patients who undergo minimally invasive spine surgery experience very little pain after the procedure. This allows them to get back to work and recreational activities more quickly than if they had the standard open surgery.
If you are having back pain or sciatica and need surgery, you owe it to yourself to explore your options. Speaking with your doctor about minimally invasive spine surgery in NJ is an important step when learning about spine surgery for your back pain.
Choosing the Right Neurosurgeon
One of the most important things you can do when considering minimally invasive spine surgery in NJ is to find the best neurosurgeon for you. Finding the right doctor can help you feel at ease about surgery and can allow you to focus on your recovery.
There are a few different ways to find the best New Jersey neurosurgeon for your minimally invasive spine surgery. These may include:
- Searching the internet for positive reviews of surgeons who perform minimally invasive spine surgery in NJ
- Asking your primary care physician for a referral
- Speaking to family and friends about their experience with minimally invasive spine surgery
Once you have located a few different doctors to perform your surgery, you should meet with each one. The best doctor for you is the one who takes the time to listen to your concerns and questions about your back pain and offers you compassionate and individualized care.
Remember, your relationship with your doctor should feel like a therapeutic alliance – both of you are working together to have the best possible outcome with your minimally invasive spine surgery.
Finding the Best Facility for Spine Surgery in NJ
One component to finding the best neurosurgeon is also finding the best facility to have your minimally invasive spine surgery in NJ. The right facility for you should:
- Be clean and modern
- Offer innovative surgical procedures and recovery areas
- Be staffed by compassionate professionals who can help you fully recover
Many people feel that they should travel to big metropolitan areas to have spine surgery. But large hospitals in NYC may be overcrowded and impersonal. Finding the right facility close to home in New Jersey can result in a positive surgical experience with minimal hassle.
Preparing for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in NJ
Once you have found the right neurosurgeon in a top-rated facility to have your minimally invasive spine surgery, you can simply focus on preparing for your surgery. Your neurosurgeon should be able to provide you with information about preparing for your procedure. Many doctor’s offices have a pre-op educational session. During this session, you will learn different things, including:
- Who the professionals are that will care for you
- A virtual or live tour of the surgical center
- The devices and machines that you may encounter during your surgery or recovery
- The expected recovery timeline once your surgery is complete.
Be sure to learn as much as you can about your surgery, and follow your doctor’s preoperative and postoperative instructions carefully to ensure you have the best possible outcome with your surgery.
Facing spine surgery be an anxiety-filled proposition, and choosing the best doctor and facility in New Jersey can make your experience just a bit better. By learning about minimally invasive spine surgery in NJ and by preparing the right way for your procedure, you can be sure to maximize your chances of having a positive outcome and returning to your active lifestyle quickly and safely after surgery.
