3 Types of Spine Conditions That Respond Well to Minimally Invasive Procedures

In the past, there were only two options for dealing with spinal pain: surgery or pain management in the hope that the condition wouldn’t worsen. Today’s advanced spinal treatment methods let doctors do intricate work to repair damage and alleviate pain without invasive procedures.

At The Spine and Sports Center in Sugarland and Houston, Texas, Dr. Benoy Benny and our team provide care to those suffering from spinal and sports injuries. We offer a range of minimally invasive procedures for several different spine conditions, providing relief without weeks of downtime from a major surgical event.

Herniated discs

Herniated discs, commonly called bulging, slipped, or ruptured discs, cause low back and even shooting leg pain. Discs separate the bones of your spine, providing cushion and flexibility as you move about. 

When your discs are damaged, the nerves running the length of your spine can become compressed, causing intense pain. In severe cases, the bones of your spine can touch, causing additional pain from friction. 

Dr. Benny can decompress herniated discs using a minimally invasive procedure called a percutaneous discectomy. There’s no incision, just the insertion of a small cannula using an imaging machine to guide the way as he provides minimally invasive relief. This treatment commonly resolves the issue and doesn’t have to be repeated unless a reinjury occurs.

Lumbar spinal stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis is the result of excess growth of tissue, such as bone or cartilage that leads to a narrowing of your spinal canal in your lower back. This narrowing compresses your nerves, leading to chronic pain, numbness, and muscle weakness. 

Dr. Benny can provide epidural spinal injections with steroids to help relieve inflammation and pain. These injections may not work forever, but can usually buy some time while another plan is created for a permanent solution to your issue. 

Vertebral compression fractures

A vertebral compression fracture is a broken spinal bone. This is common in patients whose bones have been weakened by osteoporosis or who have been in an accident damaging their back. 

Dr. Benny uses X-ray imaging guidance to insert a small, hollow needle into your spine and inject medical-grade bone cement to repair the damage and stabilize your vertebrae. Instead of spending weeks in bed with a literal broken back, you can be up and mobile again quickly. 

Are you in pain but hate the idea of back surgery? Minimally invasive options can help. Schedule a consultation at The Spine and Sports Center today by calling our location nearest you or booking a visit online.