How Endoscopic Spine Surgery Speeds Recovery and Reduces Pain

Finding out you need surgery to improve a condition in your spine can be stressful. But it can also mean a return to pain-free living and the end of the limitations that a bad back places on your life. 

Dr. Mohammad S. Shukairy has extensive experience in minimally invasive spine surgery. He is the most experienced endoscopic spine surgeon in northwest Indiana and the Chicago area, and has performed hundreds of endoscopic spine procedures with outstanding results.

If you’re considering endoscopic spine surgery, we welcome you to visit one of our office locations in Highland or Merrillville, Indiana.

Let’s take a closer look at why both patients and practitioners often prefer minimally invasive procedures over open surgery. 

What is endoscopic surgery?

Endoscopic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery that allows a practitioner to perform tissue alterations using only a few small incisions. 

This approach allows patients to get the treatment they need without the risks and recovery time associated with open surgical techniques. 

With traditional open surgery, your surgeon makes a large incision through your skin and underlying tissues to access the surgical site. While this approach enables easy access to the area of focus, it also displaces a substantial amount of otherwise healthy tissue. 

Once the surgical alterations are complete, the incision is closed with a series of sutures and/or staples. 

With endoscopic surgery, Dr. Shukairy only needs to make a few small incisions to perform the procedure. A thin medical device called an endoscope is equipped with a camera and light. It gathers images of your internal tissues and displays them on a screen that Dr. Shukairy views. 

Slim surgical tools enter your body through other small incisions to perform the necessary tissue alterations. 

Endoscopic spine surgery requires less tissue damage

With traditional open surgical procedures, the necessary internal changes cannot begin until your practitioner gains access to the site through a single large incision. 

While the changes to the targeted tissue might be the same as with endoscopic techniques, a great deal of otherwise healthy tissue is altered just to get to the area of focus. 

That means your body has to work harder to recover after your surgery. In most cases, open surgery carries a longer recovery time than minimally invasive options. You’ll also have limitations on your activities while you heal.

Smaller incisions mean less scarring

One of the most significant advantages of endoscopic spine surgery is the smaller incision lines it leaves. Because Dr. Shukairy only needs to make a few minor cuts during the procedure, the resulting scar lines will be less noticeable than with open surgery. 

There’s also less internal scarring because your body won’t need to repair damage brought on by a larger incision. Smaller incisions can also reduce your risk of infection and allow you to focus on recovering from your procedure without fear of this common complication. 

Endoscopic surgery enables an easier recovery time

Overall, people who have endoscopic spine surgery are on their feet and back to their normal routines faster than those who have open surgery. 

You won’t have to spend considerable time and effort caring for your incision in the early days of recovery. When an infection develops at an incision site, it often brings swelling and pain. Some people also develop pus at the incision site. 

Minimally invasive surgery allows your body to focus on adapting to the changes Dr. Shukairy made near or within your spine, not on healing a large incision. You’ll be able to return to normal activities sooner, which can help stave off restlessness and even depression. 

Staying active can boost your immune system and enhance your healing process. It’s also great for your overall health. While it’s important to rest for a day or so after your surgery, the sooner you can get back on your feet, the better. 

Still wondering if minimally invasive spine surgery is right for you?

If you’re considering your options and wondering how minimally invasive spine surgery fits your specific set of needs, we’re happy to review the details during a consultation. 

We want your experience at our practice to be as positive as possible, and we’re always ready to answer questions and address concerns as they arise. 

The easiest way to book a visit with Dr. Mohammad S. Shukairy is with a quick visit to our online scheduling page. You can also reach us by phone to look into appointment availability. 

We pride ourselves on partnering with patients across Northwest Indiana and Chicago to deliver outstanding service through our offices in Highland and Merrillville, Indiana.