Blog Post

If you need spine surgery, you may feel apprehensive about it. Fortunately, there are more minimally invasive procedures available today than ever before. While some spine conditions respond well to non-surgical treatment, others require surgery to improve pain, mend fractures, or stabilize damaged or degenerating vertebrae.

What Is Motion Preservation Surgery?

Motion preservation surgery attempts to restore and maintain normal motion. It’s an alternative to conventional spinal fusion, which can sometimes have side effects, such as the degeneration of the discs next to a fused disc.

These procedures typically involve:

• Smaller incisions
• Faster recovery times
• Outpatient surgery
• Reduced stress on adjacent discs
• Shorter rehabilitation
• Improved spine movement
• Reduced need for another surgery
• Less surgical blood loss
• Reduced risk of infection (smaller incision)

Eligible patients who want a less invasive approach can benefit from motion preservation surgery.

Spinal Fusion is Different from Motion Preservation Surgery

Conventional spinal fusion surgery is considered safe and effective. However, it’s not without complications. For example, during spinal fusion, the surgeon permanently fuses vertebrae together. This can limit movements and may result in degeneration of the vertebrae next to the fused one.

“Motion preservation surgery” describes new techniques that treat the same conditions as traditional spinal fusion. However, they don’t involve fusing vertebrae and minimize loss of motion.

When Does Motion Preservation Surgery Make Sense?

Hearing that you need surgery is never easy. However, if your injury, illness or condition does not respond to non-surgical treatment, surgery might be your next best option. To overcome pain and maintain mobility, your surgeon may recommend motion preservation surgery. These minimally invasive techniques can help you recover faster.

Examples of conditions treated by motion preservation surgery include:

• Spinal stenosis
• Herniated discs
• Sciatica nerve pain
• Arthritis
• Kyphosis
• Compression fractures
• Spondylolisthesis
• Scoliosis

Not everyone is a good candidate for motion preservation surgery. Your medical history, age, symptoms, and lifestyle, all impact your eligibility for these procedures. However, if you have chronic back or neck pain, tingling in your fingers or toes, or degenerative disc disease, you may qualify for motion preservation procedures.

Dr. Lewis and Motion Preservation Surgery

Dr. Adam I. Lewis has helped thousands of patients reap the benefits of motion preservation surgery. He has taught these procedures to other surgeons and advocates for patients who would benefit from these minimally invasive surgical solutions.

Want to know if you’re a good candidate for motion preservation surgery? Call Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic at (601) 366-1011 or contact us online. We’ll find a solution that works for you.

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