Preparing for canal stenosis surgery requires a lot of open communication with your surgical team. It is important for you to understand what to expect during and after this procedure, and to ask any questions you have about the upcoming surgery. By learning about what canal stenosis surgery entails and asking questions, you will feel prepared and confident on the day of your procedure.

The purpose of canal stenosis surgery is to relieve the pressure within your spinal canal, either by removing a portion of a damaged disc or a vertebra. Once the space within the spinal canal returns to normal, the pinched nerve within the canal that is causing your pain will be decompressed. While the goal of canal stenosis surgery is generally the same regardless of the type of surgery you undergo, the techniques used during traditional open back surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery can be vastly different.

What to expect during canal stenosis surgery

If you choose minimally invasive canal stenosis surgery at USA Spine Care over traditional open neck or back surgery, you are opting for a shorter recovery time^{^} and lower risk of complication. The reason for these benefits can be found in the way the spine is accessed at the beginning of surgery. Minimally invasive spine surgery at USA Spine Care uses a smaller, less than 1-inch incision and muscle-sparing techniques to enter into the spinal canal. On the contrary, the incision used during traditional open spine surgery is much larger and often cuts through the large muscles surrounding the spine.

By understanding the different approaches between the two types of canal stenosis surgery, you will be able to make an informed decision about the procedure you think is best for you.

What to expect after canal stenosis surgery

After canal stenosis surgery, you will be given a set of guidelines for the activities you can and cannot do while you recover. Patients who opt for minimally invasive spine surgery at USA Spine Care can typically return to their home or hotel within hours after surgery. However, patients who undergo traditional open spine surgery are often required to stay several nights in the hospital to be monitored.

To find out more about the advantages of minimally invasive canal stenosis surgery, contact USA Spine Care today. We can review your MRI at no cost* to find out if you may be a candidate for one of our minimally invasive procedures.