Treatments

MIS Specialist in Fort Worth, TX 

What is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MIS) is a general term used to describe a variety of surgical techniques that involve making smaller incisions and reducing the amount of tissue damage beneath the skin. Spine surgeons who perform minimally invasive spine surgery should be fully trained in the correct use of these techniques. The accredited doctor of the DFW Center for Spinal Disorders has both the tools and knowledge to provide the comfort you deserve.

How Does Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Works?

MIS techniques include the fusion of two vertebrae together and expanding endoscopic procedures. This means the surgery is performed through little holes in the skin as opposed to a larger incision.

Minimally invasive spine surgery is accomplished with the aid of specially designed instruments that assist in visualization of the surgical field. Typically, this is done with tubular retractors which allow the surgeon to make a small incision, but visualize a larger area beneath the small incision.

What Are the Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

The potential benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery may include:

  • Smaller scars, meaning less pain and blood loss.
  • Less damage to the surrounding tissues beneath the skin, meaning less pain and blood loss.

The potential outcomes of such operations are the reduction of pain and morbidity associated with standard open surgery.

Who is the Ideal Candidate for MIS Surgery?

There are many factors to consider when determining if you are a good candidate for surgery including age, weight, lifestyle, and the procedure required. Reasons someone might not be a candidate are due to unstable medical conditions that may lead to a higher risk of complications, or prior spine surgery in the same location. Good candidates for the procedure have failed conservative treatment, and are in general needing surgery for the first time, though oftentimes, revision surgery can be performed with minimally invasive means as well.

See What Our Patients Are Saying…

“Thank goodness my general practitioner sent me to DFW Center for Spinal Disorders! I could not sit or stand so the staff was very kind to get me in as fast as possible.” – Georgia M.

“Everyone was efficient and friendly. The office staff answered all of my questions thoroughly. He took the time to really explain my surgery and answered all of my questions in detail. I have already recommended that my husband set up an appointment as well.” – Teresa B.

When is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Needed?

Spinal surgery is needed when patients have failed conservative measures or have a progressive and worsening weakness, numbness or pain.  Most procedures can be approached through a minimally invasive surgery (MIS), and would be for the same reasons that spine surgery would be indicated in the first place. MIS surgery can treat patients who need surgery from either cervical or lumbar conditions, including  stenosisherniated discs, spondylolisthesis and at times including scoliosis as well.

What Surgical Techniques are used at DFW Spine Center?

MIS techniques utilized at DFW center for spinal disorders include:

  • Discectomy
  • Laminectomy
  • Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion
  • Extreme lateral interbody fusion

These are used for cervical procedures such as laminoforaminotomy, ACDF.

Different techniques are used for different conditions.  For example, a minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion can be used for a spondylolisthesis.  While a cervical laminoforaminotomy can be used for a cervical herniated disc or even in a revision setting in someone who has had previous cervical surgery and is still having radiating arm pain and has failed conservative treatments.

Patient Testimonial

“I had severe and constant back pain. Dr. Tinley diagnosed and scheduled me for surgery. He was able to get me the earliest possible surgery date. Dr. Tinley’s staff was nothing less then excellent and courteous. The morning of the surgery Dr. Tinley and some of his staff personally visited with me to inform, calm, reassure and instruct. My follow up visit everyone knew my name and welcomed me as though I had known them for years. Nobody wants or enjoys surgery but since my condition warranted it I was blessed to have Dr. Tinley and his staff. I am sure there are many fine doctors and facilities but you will not find one better then Dr. Tinley and staff. I am forever grateful to be pain free, mobile and healing.” -Scott

How To Prepare For Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

Your doctor will perform a clinical examination and possibly a few tests prior to surgery to see if you are a candidate for the procedure. These may include an MRI, discography, CT scan, and X-rays. Tell your surgeon what medications you are taking and ask if you should stop taking them before your operation. If you smoke, stop smoking as this slows the ability of bone to grow and repair adequately.

To make your recovery easier, prepare your home for life after surgery and arrange for someone to assist you.

What Can I Expect After Spine Surgery?

After the operation, you may experience pain at the site of the surgery. Your surgeon may prescribe pain or anti-inflammatory medication. Take it as directed.

What is Recovery Like After Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

Recovery from a minimally invasive surgery is in general much more rapid and allows you to get back to your life sooner and in particular the activities that were likely precluded prior to your surgery due to pain.  Recovery is as little as a few days, to as much as 2-4 weeks.  Actual recovery times vary based on the specific procedure and patient. MIS surgery is not recommended for all patients, and sometimes cannot be used for patients who need revision surgery, most types of adult deformity surgery, certain forms of scoliosis.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MIS) is a general term used to describe a variety of surgical techniques that involve making smaller incisions and reducing the amount of tissue damage beneath the skin. Spine surgeons who perform minimally invasive spine surgery should be fully trained in the correct use of these techniques. The accredited doctor of the DFW Center for Spinal Disorders has both the tools and knowledge to provide the comfort you deserve.

How Does Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Works?

MIS techniques include the fusion of two vertebrae together and expanding endoscopic procedures. This means the surgery is performed through little holes in the skin as opposed to a larger incision.

Minimally invasive spine surgery is accomplished with the aid of specially designed instruments that assist in visualization of the surgical field. Typically, this is done with tubular retractors which allow the surgeon to make a small incision, but visualize a larger area beneath the small incision.

What Are the Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

The potential benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery may include:

  • Smaller scars, meaning less pain and blood loss.
  • Less damage to the surrounding tissues beneath the skin, meaning less pain and blood loss.

The potential outcomes of such operations are the reduction of pain and morbidity associated with standard open surgery.

Who is the Ideal Candidate for MIS Surgery?

There are many factors to consider when determining if you are a good candidate for surgery including age, weight, lifestyle, and the procedure required. Reasons someone might not be a candidate are due to unstable medical conditions that may lead to a higher risk of complications, or prior spine surgery in the same location. Good candidates for the procedure have failed conservative treatment, and are in general needing surgery for the first time, though oftentimes, revision surgery can be performed with minimally invasive means as well.

See What Our Patients Are Saying…

“Thank goodness my general practitioner sent me to DFW Center for Spinal Disorders! I could not sit or stand so the staff was very kind to get me in as fast as possible.” – Georgia M.

“Everyone was efficient and friendly. The office staff answered all of my questions thoroughly. He took the time to really explain my surgery and answered all of my questions in detail. I have already recommended that my husband set up an appointment as well.” – Teresa B.

When is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Needed?

Spinal surgery is needed when patients have failed conservative measures or have a progressive and worsening weakness, numbness or pain.  Most procedures can be approached through a minimally invasive surgery (MIS), and would be for the same reasons that spine surgery would be indicated in the first place. MIS surgery can treat patients who need surgery from either cervical or lumbar conditions, including  stenosisherniated discs, spondylolisthesis and at times including scoliosis as well.

What Surgical Techniques are used at DFW Spine Center?

MIS techniques utilized at DFW center for spinal disorders include:

  • Discectomy
  • Laminectomy
  • Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion
  • Extreme lateral interbody fusion

These are used for cervical procedures such as laminoforaminotomy, ACDF.

Different techniques are used for different conditions.  For example, a minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion can be used for a spondylolisthesis.  While a cervical laminoforaminotomy can be used for a cervical herniated disc or even in a revision setting in someone who has had previous cervical surgery and is still having radiating arm pain and has failed conservative treatments.

Patient Testimonial

“I had severe and constant back pain. Dr. Tinley diagnosed and scheduled me for surgery. He was able to get me the earliest possible surgery date. Dr. Tinley’s staff was nothing less then excellent and courteous. The morning of the surgery Dr. Tinley and some of his staff personally visited with me to inform, calm, reassure and instruct. My follow up visit everyone knew my name and welcomed me as though I had known them for years. Nobody wants or enjoys surgery but since my condition warranted it I was blessed to have Dr. Tinley and his staff. I am sure there are many fine doctors and facilities but you will not find one better then Dr. Tinley and staff. I am forever grateful to be pain free, mobile and healing.” -Scott

How To Prepare For Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

Your doctor will perform a clinical examination and possibly a few tests prior to surgery to see if you are a candidate for the procedure. These may include an MRI, discography, CT scan, and X-rays. Tell your surgeon what medications you are taking and ask if you should stop taking them before your operation. If you smoke, stop smoking as this slows the ability of bone to grow and repair adequately.

To make your recovery easier, prepare your home for life after surgery and arrange for someone to assist you.

What Can I Expect After Spine Surgery?

After the operation, you may experience pain at the site of the surgery. Your surgeon may prescribe pain or anti-inflammatory medication. Take it as directed.

What is Recovery Like After Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

Recovery from a minimally invasive surgery is in general much more rapid and allows you to get back to your life sooner and in particular the activities that were likely precluded prior to your surgery due to pain.  Recovery is as little as a few days, to as much as 2-4 weeks.  Actual recovery times vary based on the specific procedure and patient. MIS surgery is not recommended for all patients, and sometimes cannot be used for patients who need revision surgery, most types of adult deformity surgery, certain forms of scoliosis.