Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion: Your Complete Guide to an Optimal Recovery
Any surgery can be scary, especially when it involves the spine. However, advancements in technology and surgical approaches have made these procedures safer and more successful than those in the past. And even better? Recovery takes a fraction of the time.
Dr. Vladimir Fiks uses minimally invasive techniques to perform numerous procedures at Advanced Pain Management Center, including spinal fusion.
Minimally invasive spinal fusion can provide results for a variety of painful conditions, including:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spinal stenosis
- Scoliosis
- Spinal column fractures, infections, or tumors
Ready to say goodbye to your back pain? Dr. Fiks shared this guide to an optimal recovery.
1. Work with an expert
The most obvious factor for an optimal outcome for any surgery involves working with an experienced expert. Unlike traditional spinal fusion procedures in the past, minimally invasive approaches require advanced skill and training.
Dr. Fiks has dedicated his entire career to orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions. He’s also continued to expand his medical education to ensure he has a broad understanding of diseases and advanced techniques.
This expertise enables Dr. Fiks to address even the most complex pain conditions using both conservative and minimally invasive strategies.
2. Prepare for your procedure in advance
In addition to working with a skilled surgeon you can trust, preparing for recovery before you set foot in the operating room is essential.
Dr. Fiks can provide personalized recommendations based on your unique situation. But, generally speaking, you should plan on:
- Quitting smoking
- Exercising regularly to tone and strengthen your body
- Stopping nonessential medications and supplements as directed
In many cases, you could also receive antibiotics to start taking before your surgery to reduce your risk of infection. Dr. Fiks can also tell you what you can eat and drink leading up to your surgery.
3. Follow your post-operative instructions
Finally, it’s crucial to follow your care instructions after your procedure.
The good thing about minimally invasive spinal fusion is that it comes with less pain and trauma to soft tissue in the area. You can also expect a shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery times. All that adds up to faster returns to daily activities and work.
However, you must follow your personalized rehabilitation plan to ensure you get the best results. These can vary based on the spinal condition Dr. Fiks treated, as well as the complexity of the procedure and your overall health.
However, you can support the healing process by eating a nutritious diet rich in calcium and vitamin D and following a physical therapy program.
Even with minimally invasive approaches, you won’t heal from spinal fusion overnight. However, with Dr. Fiks’ skilled hands, you can expect optimal outcomes from this procedure, including less pain and improved mobility.
Curious to see if minimally invasive spinal fusion can help with your back pain? Contact Advanced Pain Management Center by phone or online to schedule a consultation in Portland, Oregon, today.