Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) | AxialIF | MILD Minimal Invasive Lumbar Artificial Disc Study

Minimally invasive surgery is a promising new advancement in back surgery in which the entire procedure is performed through only a one-inch incision. Through minimally invasive spine surgery you can reduce the impact to your body and recover faster – in days instead of weeks.

Primary benefits of minimally invasive surgery:

	Hospital stay shortened from a typical 5 days to less than 2 days
	Greatly reduced trauma to musculature surrounding affected discs
	Limited scar tissue, both internally and externally
	Blood loss during surgery cut by at least 50%

Exclusive training required for minimally invasive surgery

This surgery is complicated and requires a special set of skills that may include working through endoscopic instruments or properly inserting small implants or screws through a tiny opening to stabilize the back. Minimally invasive techniques are relatively young, and it takes years to learn these exclusive skills.

Since the procedures are often longer and harder to perform, many doctors with long established practices do not see the value of spending the time to learn the procedure, much less becoming experts. Additionally, many insurance companies do not offer additional compensation for using the less invasive procedures; so many doctors have no incentive to adopt the newer techniques.

Some surgeons however, are more eager to remain cutting-edge and able to offer patients the most appropriate procedures for each individual case. South Florida Spine Institute offers valuable training programs on minimally invasive surgeries and other back surgery techniques.