Outpatient Spine Procedures
Until recently, spine surgery has been an intensive procedure requiring an inpatient hospital stay and long recovery time. Now minimally invasive surgical techniques are making outpatient surgeries possible. With technological advancements, minimally invasive spine surgery treats many conditions that use to require open surgery, which involved a long incision and muscle retraction in getting to the problem area.
MINIMALLY INVASIVE TECHNIQUES & OUTPATIENT SPINE SURGERY
The benefits of minimally invasive procedures over traditional open surgery include:
- Safer with a lower risk of complications.
- Less pain and blood loss.
- Less damage to muscles and soft tissue.
- Shorter hospital stay.
- Quicker outpatient recovery.
- Smaller incisions, with less noticeable scars.
Minimally invasive surgical techniques are less intensive and enable patients to recover at home instead of at the hospital.
Four of the most common types of outpatient back surgery done at Florida Orthopaedic Institute are lumbar microdiscectomy, lumbar laminectomy, anterior cervical decompression and fusion, and anterior cervical disc replacement. These surgeries are performed using minimally invasive techniques that cut the outpatient back surgery recovery time and only need a small incision.
LUMBAR MICRODISCECTOMY
A microdiscectomy (also called a microdecompression) is usually used for relieving leg pain (also known as radiculopathy or sciatica) than lower back pain. A microdiscectomy reduces the pressure on a spinal nerve root by removing the material causing the pain, and is typically performed for a herniated disc. A small part of the bone over the nerve root or disc material under the nerve root is removed during the minimally invasive procedure.
LUMBAR LAMINECTOMY
This surgery creates space by removing the back part of a vertebra covering your spinal canal (the lamina). This operation enlarges your spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. It is also known as a decompression surgery.
ANTERIOR CERVICAL DECOMPRESSION AND FUSION
The anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedure removes a damaged disc to relieve spinal cord or nerve root pressure. It helps ease pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling. The procedure is also called an anterior cervical decompression because discectomy is a form of surgical decompression. The surgery has two parts; the anterior cervical discectomy and the fusion. The surgery starts through the front (or anterior) of the neck (cervical spine) in the discectomy. The disc is removed from between two vertebral bones. Fusion surgery is done at the same time as the discectomy to stabilize the cervical part of the spine. A fusion places bone graft or implants in place of the disc to provide strength and stability to the area.
ANTERIOR CERVICAL DISC REPLACEMENT
Also known as total disc arthroplasty or artificial disc replacement, this surgical procedure uses a front approach (anterior) to the cervical spine. This is the same approach used for an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery to remove a damaged disc.
Improvements in surgical techniques and technology over the past decade have allowed for more spine surgeries to be performed in outpatient surgery centers, outside of the traditional hospital setting. Here are some frequently asked questions about outpatient spine surgery.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OUTPATIENT SPINE SURGERY.
What is an outpatient surgery center?
Outpatient surgery centers are ambulatory care (medical services performed on an outpatient basis) facilities where the staff is focused only on performing outpatient surgery. This specialization requires the commitment and integration of the surgery team. For spine surgery, surgeons may use different anesthetic techniques, strategies for moving patients, and post-surgery pain treatments.
What are the benefits of having spine surgery performed in an outpatient surgery center?
Outpatient surgery centers allow patients to have a shorter procedure and a quicker recovery, so they can quickly get back on their feet. Patients leave the same day, with cost savings compared to an overnight stay in a hospital. Most patients prefer to recover in the comfort of their homes. Outpatient centers provide a more personalized experience. With a smaller footprint and parking close by, it provides easier access for patients.
Are more spine surgeries being performed on an outpatient basis?
There is definitely an increase in outpatient spine surgeries. Some of the reasons for this include convenience, better patient experience, decreased cost, patient demand, and the desire to deliver a more patient-friendly experience.
How do outpatient surgery centers differ from a hospital (inpatient) setting?
Outpatient surgery centers usually offer the same surgical services as hospitals. Care delivered after surgery is different. Outpatient surgery centers discharge the patient that day or the next morning. If extensive rehabilitation or physical therapy is required after surgery, those services are provided on an outpatient basis, so the patient remains at home, rather than in the hospital.
Who is a Good Candidate for Outpatient Spinal Surgery?
Good candidates for outpatient surgery have the cause of the condition well defined. Also, the patient would have seen no improvement despite a reasonable amount of nonsurgical care. If those conditions are met, they would also:
- Have no other medical conditions.
- Is of normal weight (body mass index, or BMI, less than 35).
- Have enough family or social support at home.
- Have a realistic expectation of some pain and discomfort despite reasonable pain-relief strategies.
LOCATIONS:
Florida Orthopaedic Surgery Center has two locations for your convenience at:
CITRUS PARK: 6117 Gunn Hwy, Tampa, FL 33625
NORTH TAMPA: 13020 North Telecom Parkway, Temple Terrace, FL 33637
TO LEARN MORE
The Florida Orthopaedic Surgery Center has their own website: FOISurgeryCenter.com
NEXT STEPS
If you have some type of spine issue, you might be a candidate for outpatient spine surgery. Our team of specialists can review your case and determine the best course of treatment. Talk to your Florida Orthopaedic Institute physician today to learn more about outpatient spine surgery.
Areas of Focus
- Spine
- ALIF: Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Surgery
- Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR)
- Back Surgery Types
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH)
- Discitis
- Epidural Injections for Spinal Pain
- Kyphosis
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Outpatient Spine Surgery
- Pinched Nerve
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Spinal Fusion
- Spondylolisthesis and Spondylolysis
- Vertebroplasty
- Whiplash and Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD)
The following Florida Orthopaedic Institute physicians specialize in Outpatient Spine Procedures:
Specialties
- Achilles Tendinitis - Achilles Insertional Calcific Tendinopathy (ACIT)
- Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Achilles Tendonitis
- ACL Injuries
- ALIF: Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Surgery
- Ankle Fracture Surgery
- Ankle Fractures (Broken Ankle)
- Ankle Fusion
- Arthritis & Adult Reconstruction Surgery
- Arthroscopic Chondroplasty
- Arthroscopic Debridement of the Elbow
- Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
- Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR)
- Aspiration of the Olecranon Bursa
- Avascular Necrosis (Osteonecrosis)
- Back Surgery Types
- Bankart Repair
- Basal Joint Surgery
- Bicep Tendon Tear
- Bicep Tenodesis
- Bioinductive Implant
- Broken Collarbone
- Bunions
- Bursitis of the Shoulder (Subacromial Bursitis)
- Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- CARTIVA® Implant For Big Toe Joint Arthritis
- Charcot Joint
- Chiropractic
- Colles’ Fractures (Broken Wrist)
- Community Outreach
- ConforMIS Knee Replacement
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH)
- Discitis
- Dislocated Shoulder
- Dupuytren’s Disease
- Elbow
- Elbow Bursitis
- Elbow Injuries in Throwing Athletes
- Epidural Injections for Spinal Pain
- Finger Dislocation
- Flexor Tendonitis
- Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg
- Fractures Of The Shoulder Blade (Scapula)
- Fractures Of The Tibial Spine
- Functional Nerve Transfers of The Hand
- Ganglion Cysts
- General Orthopedics
- Glenoid Labrum Tear
- Golfer's Elbow
- Growth Plate Injuries Of The Elbow
- Hallux Rigidus - Cheilectomy
- Hand & Finger Replantation
- Hand & Upper Extremity
- Hand & Wrist
- Hand Nerve Decompression
- Hand Skin Grafts
- Hip & Thigh
- Hip Arthroscopy
- Hip Dislocation
- Hip Flexor Strains
- Hip Fractures
- Hip Hemiarthroplasty
- Hip Muscle Strains
- Hyperextension Injury of the Elbow
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome
- Interventional Pain Management
- Interventional Spine
- Intraarticular Calcaneal Fracture
- Knee & Leg
- Kyphosis
- Labral Tears Of The Hip (Acetabular Labrum Tears)
- Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Injuries
- Lisfranc Injuries
- LITTLE LEAGUER'S ELBOW (MEDIAL APOPHYSITIS)
- MACI
- MAKO Knee Replacement Surgery
- MAKO Total Hip Replacement
- Mallet, Hammer & Claw Toes
- Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries
- Meniscus Tears
- Metatarsalgia
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Muscle Spasms
- NAVIO Surgical System
- Nerve Pain
- Neuromas (Foot)
- Olecranon Stress Fractures
- Orthopaedic Total Wellness
- Orthopedic Trauma
- Osteoarthritis of the Hip
- Osteoporosis
- Outpatient Spine Surgery
- Partial Knee Replacement
- Patellar Fracture
- Pelvic Ring Fractures
- Peripheral Nerve Surgery (Hand) Revision
- Pinched Nerve
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Podiatrist or Orthopaedic Physician?
- Primary Care Orthopedics Sports Medicine
- PROstep™ Minimally Invasive Surgery for Bunions
- Quadriceps Tendon Tear
- Revascularization of the Hand
- Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
- Revision Knee Surgery
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) of the Shoulder
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Of The Hand
- Robotics
- ROSA® Knee Robotic Surgical Assistant
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Senior Strong
- Shin Splints
- Shoulder
- Shoulder Arthritis
- Shoulder Arthroscopy
- Shoulder Replacement
- Shoulder Socket Fracture (Glenoid Fracture)
- SLAP Tears & Repairs
- Spinal Fusion
- Spine
- Spondylolisthesis and Spondylolysis
- Sports Hernias (Athletic Pubalgia)
- Sports Medicine
- Sprained Ankle
- Sudden (Acute) Finger, Hand & Wrist Injuries
- Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR)
- Tendon Transfers of The Hand
- Tennis Elbow
- Thigh Fractures
- Thigh Muscle Strains
- Total Ankle Replacement
- Total Hip Arthroplasty
- Total Hip Replacement - Anterior Approach
- Total Knee Replacement
- Triceps Tendonitis
- Trigger Finger
- UCL (Ulnar Collateral Ligament) Injuries
- Ulnar Neuritis
- Valgus Extension Overload
- Verilast
- Vertebroplasty
- WALANT (Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet)
- Whiplash and Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD)
- Wrist Arthroscopy
- Wrist Fractures
- Wrist Sprains
- Wrist Tendonitis