Why the best spine surgeons in the United States operate through a half-inch incision vs 3 inch incisions in Canada

Beyond the medical urgency related to getting prompt diagnosis and treatment of a herniated disc to avoid permanent paralysis, the second reason thousands of Canadians from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City routinely travel to spine centers in the U.S. relates accessing the best and most advanced spine surgeons and spine technology.

In the U.S. the best spine surgeons have pursued advanced training in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS). 

However the term minimally invasive spine surgery has been used as a marketing gimmick by surgeons who still make large open incisions because it’s easier for the surgeon. This open approach eliminates all the benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery for the patient, and only benefits the surgeon.

In the U.S. there are few spine centers that offer true minimally invasive spine surgery. This technique requires a very high level of training. There is a big difference between operating through a ½ inch incision and operating through a 3 to 5 inch incision.

Minimally invasive spine surgery is technically challenging and requires a tremendous amount of skill and extra training. The spine surgeon uses tubular retractors that provide a channel through a half-inch to one-inch incision. An endoscope slides through the channel to access the disc area. Tiny incisors in the tip along with a camera, enable the trained spine surgeon to visualize the disc and remove the herniation.

Not surprisingly, the U.S. is the preferred location for medical tourism from as far away as the Middle East. Similarly thousands of nearby Canadians from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City routinely travel across the border to visit spine centers in the U.S. to take responsibility for their own healthcare rather than depend on the slow gears of the government-driven healthcare system.

Here at San Jose Neurospine, as a result of our international reputation, we treat patients from all over the world. Our practice is conveniently located close to both San Francisco International airport and San Jose International airport. The San Francisco bay area has some of the nation’s finest hotels. If required our staff can help arrange hotel accommodation as well as airport pickup. We also provide translation services to patients who speak little to no English.

Our “Virtual Consultation” program enables us to assess your clinical problem weeks before your visit. All you have to do is send in our imaging (CT, MRI and X-Ray) studies and reports as well as provide a brief medical history. We will then carefully review this information and contact you with our recommendations. For many of our out of town patients, the preoperative clearance evaluation is performed by a primary care physician in their home city. Our clinic will provide you with the details of all the required information and the necessary preoperative tests.

Patient Testimonial – Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Colleen first noticed something was wrong when she experienced tingling and numbness in her leg while on vacation in Vancouver and continuously had to stop and rest, hindering her trip. As time went on, her leg became more painful, so painful that she had to carry a folding stool with her at all times so she could sit down and rest her leg. An MRI determined it was her lower back that was causing her leg pain.

After injections and pain creams were unsuccessful, Colleen visited San Jose Neurospine where Dr. Onibokun performed a Minimally Invasive procedure to alleviate her back pain. Colleen is now back to a pain free life.
Watch Colleen's emotional story...