Because minimally invasive spine surgery techniques involve very small incisions and limited blood loss and tissue damage, recovery from most minimally invasive surgery is relatively fast. In fact, it is often an outpatient procedure in which many patients are able to return home the same day they have their procedure.
More extensive procedures with multiple issues such as herniation and bone spurs may require an overnight stay. Depending on the issue that’s treated, patients will need to avoid strenuous exercises, bending and twisting motions, and heavy lifting for several weeks. Before surgery, Dr. Jenkins will review what you can expect during recovery so you can plan appropriately.
Many patients want relief from their painful symptoms, but also want the treatment to have the fastest recovery time possible. Minimally invasive techniques are used to speed up recovery time. Dr. Jenkins will consider a patient’s history, overall condition, and the severity and duration of their symptoms in order to come up with a unique treatment strategy for each patient. If your diagnosis lends itself to using minimally invasive techniques, that’s what Dr. Jenkins will recommend.