News/PR
New Surgical Technologies Offer Less Pain, Smaller Incisions & Shorter Recovery Time For Back Surgery Patients
November 11, 2003
Panama City, FL - Bay Medical is now offering the next generation in spinal surgery with MAST - Minimal Access Spinal Technologies. This technology enables local orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Cory Gaiser, to effectively treat a variety of causes of chronic lower back pain with much smaller incisions which translate into shorter time in the hospital, shorter recovery time and less post-operative pain.
The MAST System offers several sets of technologies that enable surgeons to perform Spinal Fusions to treat misaligned vertebrae and degenerative disc disease as well as MicroDiscectomies to relieve herniated discs - two of the most common surgical procedures performed on the spine. Traditionally these procedures are performed openly with large incisions down the middle of the back with the muscles being stripped free from the spine in order to reach the affected area. The new technologies involve tiny incisions and "live action" x-ray to guide the surgeon to the affected area and enable him, using specially designed tools, to perform the procedure with minimal muscle damage. While each case is different, many patients report getting back to work just days after leaving the hospital and resuming their normal activities in just a few weeks.
After the common cold, back pain is the next leading reason for missed workdays in people under 45* and the second most frequently reported reason for visiting a doctor. Back pain is also the third most frequent reason for having surgery.** While surgery is always a last result after other treatment options have been eliminated, surgery becomes a viable option when an individual experiences one or more of the following:
- Leg or back pain that limits normal daily activities
- Weakness in legs or feet
- Numbness in arms or legs
- Impaired bowel or bladder function
- Incapacitating pain
- Ineffective treatment
- Spinal instability
- Deteriorating quality of life
Dr. Cory Gaiser is the only orthopedic surgeon in the area that has been trained to perform surgeries using the MAST Systems.
* American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
** National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III