Why choose a minimally invasive approach?
The word “fusion” can make patients picture a major spine surgery with large incisions, extensive hardware, and a long recovery. For appropriately selected patients, that may not be the only option.
Dr. Shamloo’s approach is designed to provide spinal stabilization and fusion through a much smaller surgical pathway, minimizing disruption to the surrounding muscles and tissues:
A traditional approach may instead involve more extensive exposure, larger incisions, general anesthesia, a hospital stay, longer initial recovery, and more significant postoperative restrictions.
What is minimally invasive lumbar fusion?
The procedure is designed to stabilize a painful or unstable spinal segment and allow the bones to fuse, while using a substantially less disruptive surgical approach. Rather than requiring a large surgical exposure, it uses a small incision and specialized instrumentation to access and stabilize the affected level.
Dr. Shamloo primarily uses a screwless interspinous fixation system for appropriately selected patients. The technology currently used in his practice includes the Aurora Spine ZIP platform, developed as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional pedicle-screw fixation.
The specific implant system used may evolve as newer technologies become available.
Who may be a candidate?
The approach is best suited to carefully selected patients whose diagnosis, spinal anatomy, source of pain, and overall health are appropriate for this type of stabilization. Potential candidates may include patients with conditions such as:
The most important question is whether the affected spinal level is actually responsible for your symptoms and whether stabilization is reasonably expected to provide meaningful benefit. Dr. Shamloo evaluates each patient’s imaging, symptoms, examination, medical history, and treatment history first.
A same-day, minimally invasive procedure
One of the most important differences between this approach and traditional lumbar fusion is how much surgery the patient actually experiences. For appropriately selected patients, the procedure is performed through a very small incision, under sedation, as an outpatient.
Patients recover under observation following the procedure and return home the same day. There is generally no need for a prolonged hospital stay.
What is recovery like?
The minimally invasive approach is designed to allow patients to return to normal life quickly. Most patients can resume most normal daily activities the following day.
For approximately the first one to two weeks, patients generally have temporary restrictions on bending, heavy lifting, and strenuous activity. These restrictions help protect the treatment area during the initial healing period.
While patients may be able to return to many everyday activities very quickly, spinal fusion itself is a biological process that continues to develop over time. Your specific restrictions and follow-up schedule depend on your individual condition and recovery.
Potential benefits
For appropriately selected patients, minimally invasive lumbar fusion may offer several potential advantages compared with more extensive traditional fusion surgery:
Minimally invasive does not mean that the procedure is minor. Fusion is still a significant medical procedure intended to create lasting stabilization of the spine — the difference is that it is designed to accomplish that goal through a less disruptive approach.