Chronic back pain is notoriously difficult to treat with conservative medical care. If you still struggle with daily pain or disability despite treatment, it’s time to learn if Minuteman® spinal fusion is the solution you need.
As pain management experts, our Centers for Pain Control & Vein Care team in Hobart, LaPorte, Munster, Valparaiso, and Merrillville, Indiana, has extensive experience implanting the innovative Minuteman device.
After a one-hour, minimally invasive procedure, the Minuteman relieves pain, supports the vertebrae, and creates a bridge that accelerates spinal fusion.
Here’s what you should know about spinal fusion, the advanced Minuteman, and its four primary benefits.
If your back pain doesn’t improve with conservative therapies, the next step is an interventional procedure, such as radiofrequency ablation and spinal cord stimulation, or minimally invasive surgery.
A spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that restores spine stability by connecting two vertebrae. Fusing the two bones stops painful movement and prevents the pain of pinched nerves.
The Minuteman fusion plate may be a good option if you have any of the following conditions in your back (but not the neck):
These conditions cause chronic back pain and damage nerves. If you have a pinched nerve, you may also have pain that travels down your legs.
The Minuteman is a biocompatible device that we implant between two vertebrae. After inserting the device, we release its two wings. The wings securely hold the Minuteman in place.
The device serves two essential roles. First, it physically separates and stabilizes the bones and takes the pressure off pinched nerves. And second, it holds bone graft material.
The bone graft material is a mix of natural substances that promote and accelerate new bone growth between the vertebrae. As the two bones grow together, the Minuteman becomes a bridge, supporting and fusing the bones.
Four benefits of Minuteman spinal fusion include:
Minimally invasive surgery means we perform the procedure through a small incision (less than 1 inch). The surgical instruments are pencil-thin, so they fit through the tiny opening.
We use fluoroscopy, a real-time X-ray technique, to guide the Minuteman fusion plate, ensuring its precise placement.
What does that mean for you? A small incision causes significantly less trauma, reduces bleeding, and minimizes pain. It also means you can have the Minuteman inserted in an outpatient clinic. The procedure takes about an hour and you go home the same day.
When Spinal Simplicity created the Minuteman, they also developed a cutting-edge device for implanting the fusion plate. The insertion device uses dilators to gently stretch the tissues, making a narrow space for the surgical instrument without cutting the muscles and ligaments.
Keeping your muscles and ligaments intact dramatically enhances your recovery. You have less pain, recover more quickly, and return to activities faster because you don’t need to wait for the soft tissues to heal.
When inserting the Minuteman fusion plate, we make the incision on your side (a lateral approach). The lateral approach is less invasive and has a lower risk of complications compared to making the incision in the front or back.
A side incision provides easier access to the spine, allowing us to avoid damaging the nerves, blood vessels, and other soft tissues.
Scar tissue caused by a previous back surgery often makes it difficult or impossible to perform a second minimally invasive procedure. However, the lateral approach bypasses scar tissue. As a result, you may still be a good candidate for Minuteman fusion even if you had an earlier surgery.
The Minuteman doesn't provide temporary relief like many back treatments. Instead, you gain long-lasting pain relief because it permanently supports your spine. As the bones fuse, you have less pain, better mobility, and can return to your daily activities.
If you struggle with chronic back pain, it’s time to learn if Minuteman spinal fusion may be the solution you need. Call the Centers for Pain Control & Vein Care to schedule a consultation or request an appointment online today.
