Minimally Invasive Surgery: What You Need to Know

Over the past few decades, minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized how orthopedic and physical therapy treatments are performed. 

These advanced and increasingly common techniques use small incisions and specialized tools to repair injuries, reduce pain, and restore mobility with less recovery time compared to traditional surgery.

If you’re dealing with chronic pain, joint issues, or injuries, minimally invasive surgery might be the right choice for you. 

Why Choose Minimally Invasive Surgery 

Minimally invasive surgery procedures offer significant advantages over traditional surgery options, including:

• Less Noticeable: Minimally invasive surgery involves smaller incisions, which means less scarring and a more discreet recovery. 
• Less Pain: Smaller incisions cause less trauma to the surrounding tissues, leading to a less painful recovery after surgery.
• Lower Risk: Smaller wounds and reduced exposure reduce the chances of infection and complications.
• Outpatient Options: Many minimally invasive procedures don’t require an overnight hospital stay.
• Quicker Recovery: You can typically return to work or your daily activities sooner.

Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Options

Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a widely used minimally invasive procedure commonly used for diagnosing and treating ligament injuries such as ACL tears, repairing torn cartilage, and removing bone spurs in joints like the knee, shoulder, or hip. Using a tiny incision, a surgeon inserts a small camera called an arthroscope into the joint, allowing them to view the area and repair damage with specialized instruments.

Minimally Invasive Joint Replacement
If you deal with severe arthritis or joint damage, minimally invasive techniques are now available for hip and knee replacements. These procedures use smaller incisions and advanced tools to place implants while minimizing damage to your surrounding muscles and tissues.

Spinal Surgery
Minimally invasive spine procedures are effective for treating conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease. Using tiny tools and advanced imaging technology, a surgeon can target the affected area without the need for large incisions. Common examples include microdiscectomy, where herniated disc material pressing on your nerves is removed, and minimally invasive spinal fusion, which stabilizes your spine using small incisions and specialized implants. 

Carpal Tunnel Release
If you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, a minimally invasive approach involves a small incision in your wrist to relieve pressure on your median nerve. Typically performed as an outpatient surgery, this quick procedure leads to significant improvement in hand function.

Repairing Rotator Cuff Tears
Minimally invasive rotator cuff surgery involves small incisions and a tiny camera to repair torn shoulder tendons. This procedure can help you experience faster healing and improved mobility.

Minimally Invasive Physical Therapy Options

Percutaneous Tenotomy
Percutaneous tenotomy is an innovative solution for chronic tendon issues such as tennis elbow, Achilles tendinitis, and plantar fasciitis. Guided by ultrasound, your physician inserts a small needle into the damaged tendon to break down scar tissue and stimulate the body’s natural healing process, all without the need for open surgery. This procedure is quick and effective, and is typically performed under local anesthesia in less than an hour. 

Trigger Point Injections
Trigger point injections are an effective solution for chronic muscle tension or spasms, delivering medication directly into tight muscle areas to relax the tissue and alleviate pain. This treatment helps release your muscle tension, enhancing the effectiveness of your physical therapy exercises. This quick procedure is often paired with ongoing therapy for optimal results.

Dry Needling
Physical therapists use dry needling to relieve muscle tension and pain. During the procedure, they insert thin needles into trigger points or knots in your muscles to release tightness and help improve your mobility. This technique provides you with immediate pain relief and improves your range of motion, making your physical therapy exercises easier and more productive. While you may experience some discomfort during the procedure, most patients report significant relief soon after, helping them feel better and progress faster in their recovery.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
PRP therapy harnesses your body’s natural healing abilities to repair damaged tissues. During the procedure, your physical therapist draws a small amount of your blood, then processes it to concentrate the platelets before injecting it into the injured area to promote healing. The procedure is simple and typically done as an outpatient treatment. PRP therapy is effective because platelets contain growth factors that stimulate tissue repair, making PRP an excellent choice if you’re dealing with tendon injuries or joint pain. While results take a few weeks to fully develop, PRP can significantly accelerate recovery, especially when combined with physical therapy.

Hydrodissection
During hydrodissection, your physical therapist injects a saline or dextrose solution around a compressed nerve to release it from surrounding tissues, reducing your pain and improving your mobility. This procedure is especially effective if you’re dealing with conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or frozen shoulder. The procedure is guided by ultrasound for precision and typically provides nearly immediate relief with minimal downtime, helping you get back to your daily activities faster.

Are You Considering Minimally Invasive Surgery? 

If you’re thinking about pursuing a minimally invasive option for a current injury or condition, here’s how to prepare:  

1. Research Your Options: Speak with your doctor to understand which procedures are available for your condition. 
2. Ask Questions: Make sure you understand the risks and benefits associated with any proposed procedures, as well as the expected recovery time.  
3. Follow Recovery Guidelines: Physical therapy is often essential for achieving the best results, so be sure to follow your rehab plan.  
4. Be Patient: Recovery is often quicker with a minimally invasive procedure, but it’s still important to give your body time to heal fully. 

While minimally invasive procedures are preferred by most patients, not every patient is a candidate. The board-certified orthopedic specialists at Direct Orthopedic Care can help determine the best options for you and create a plan tailored to your needs, helping you to heal faster and live better. 

Click here to book an appointment in Irving or Southlake. 

Sources: Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Mayo Clinic, National Institutes of Health, WebMD