Back and neck pain are two of the most commonly reported conditions in the United States. The causes are numerous and in many instances, a patient can turn to physical therapy, steroid injections, and other forms of treatment to relieve their symptoms.

In some cases, however, surgery is a necessary step on the path to wellness. While traditional spine surgery requires intrusive procedures that come with a host of potential drawbacks, The Spine Care Center in Manassas utilizes state-of-the-art, minimally invasive procedures designed to provide you with the pain relief you deserve with minimal disruption to your life. There are numerous other benefits to this form of surgery, and today’s post will focus on a few of the most prominent.

Our cutting-edge facility offers a wide variety of minimally invasive spine surgery options for patients in Manassas and the surrounding areas. Our world-class spine doctors have helped hundreds of people just like you find lasting back and neck pain relief, and we would love to help you, too! Get started with a consultation through this page, and read on to learn more about how you could benefit from minimally invasive spine surgery.

What Is It?

Before we begin, let’s talk for a moment about the differences between spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery procedures. In a traditional spine surgery procedure, a doctor will make an incision typically between 4 and 6 inches in length. The muscles in the area are moved to the side so that the doctor can clearly see the spine. They will then operate on the damaged area, place screws and other materials if necessary, and stabilize the area.

Minimally invasive procedures, on the other hand, are performed by making a small incision and using various instruments to correct spine problems. One of the most popular techniques involves the use of a small tubular retractor that allows the surgeon to access the spine through the use of small instruments. As the procedure comes to an end, the device is removed and the muscles relax back into place.


Now that you understand a bit more about the differences between normal spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery, let’s take a look at a few benefits of the latter. As you read through the information below, it’s important to note that each procedure and patient are different. Your results will vary, so please consult with your spine doctor to learn more about what you can expect in your specific circumstances.

Five Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

1. Minimal Blood Loss

No matter which kind of procedure you’re undergoing, blood loss is always a concern. Skilled surgical teams do everything in their power to keep blood loss to a minimum, but with traditional surgeries, most patients can expect to feel weak and drained once the procedure has ended and they come out of anesthesia. As we discussed above, minimally invasive procedures require significantly smaller incisions and consequently reduce blood loss during the procedure.

2. Less Scarring 

While surgical scars are a necessary component of the healing process, minimally invasive procedures leave much smaller marks than traditional operations. Even in situations in which you need to have several small incisions as opposed to one large incision, you can expect much less visible scarring and reduced scar tissue as you heal.

3. Faster Recovery

The point of surgery is to help you get back to your normal routine, but the healing process can be significant when it comes to spine surgery. Above, we discussed that traditional operations are performed by pulling muscles aside in order to access the spine, and this can lead to serious postoperative soreness and tightness. Moreover, they may not even fully resolve the original problem. Minimally invasive procedures are — as the name suggests — much less traumatic and intrusive to the body. This allows you to recover faster and return to your favorite activities as soon as possible.

4. Less Pain

Pain is one of the biggest drawbacks of any spine surgery procedure. At The Spine Care Center, we’re dedicated to helping each and every one of our patients live a pain-free life, and minimally invasive surgery options are just one more way we achieve our goal. Many patients are hesitant to take prescription painkillers following an appointment, but you don’t want to be in pain unnecessarily. When it comes to minimally invasive procedures, many patients are able to manage their postoperative pain with over-the-counter medications.

5. Outpatient Treatment

At The Spine Care Center, we know that you have a busy schedule. You don’t have time to recover from a major surgery, and you certainly don’t want to use your hard-earned vacation hours to recover on the couch. Minimally invasive spine surgery typically allows you to return home in the hours following the procedure. Additional details will be provided by your spine doctor in the appointments preceding your operation.

Do You Need Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Manassas?

We hope that today’s entry will help you determine if minimally invasive spine surgery could be the right option for you. The Spine Care Center in Manassas is dedicated to providing you with the resources you need to feel your best, so bookmark our blog page and check back often for the latest updates.

If you would like to learn more about our treatment options, then we invite you to contact our office to schedule a consultation. Fill out the form below or give us a call — we look forward to speaking with you.

Schedule your appointment with our office today!