Pain in the spine and knee is one of the most painful problems that afflict the modern woman. In recent years, and since conservative treatment methods (drugs, physical therapy, etc.) fail, the trend of modern surgical treatment is the most minimal and bloodless surgical techniques, most of which require a half-day or one-day hospitalization.

In the spine, two of the most common problems are disc herniation (disc disease) and fractures in older age (more in women), due to osteoporosis. The most modern treatment methods are discoplasty with Discogel for disc herniation, while for fractures, balloon kyphoplasty.

Discoplasty

Discoplasty is a minimally invasive, bloodless and safe technique. It is carried out with an injection made in the center of the disc, located between the vertebrae, with a viscous material (Discogel), which acts osmotically by shrinking the core of the disc. Thus, the pressure caused by the hernia on the nerves is removed, resulting in the disappearance of pain, numbness and heaviness in the waist and legs. This particular technique can be done under intoxication or even local anesthesia. After a while, the patient leaves walking, and immediately returns to her daily routine.

Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty is also a minimally invasive and bloodless method to treat one or more broken vertebrae due to osteoporosis. Philosophy of the method, is the reduction of broken vertebrae by inflating a balloon and injecting into the created cavity, a special medical cement, which stabilizes the vertebra, restoring its height. The technique is performed with 2 tubes, which are inserted through 2 5mm skin incisions and reach the body of the broken vertebra. The patient is mobilized after a few hours and leaves the hospital the same or the next day walking. Pain relief is immediate, permanent, complete and brings the patient back to her daily routine, optimizing her quality of life.

MIKA: minimally invasive total arthroplasty

In the knee, the most common problems that cause pain are osteoarthritis in the over 50s, and meniscal tears in all ages.

Osteoarthritis, in advanced stages, is completely treated only with total arthroplasty, i.e. replacement of the worn out knee joint with an artificial joint. In recent years, minimally invasive knee arthroplasty, known as MIKA (MINIMALLY INVASIVE KNEE ARTHROPLASTY), has been applied with particular success. The implantation of the arthroplasty is done with special equipment and technique, through a small incision and minimal disruption of the soft tissues. The advantages of this technique, in addition to the unquestionably better aesthetic result compared to the classic technique, are that blood loss and post-operative pain are minimized, the movement of the knee is restored more quickly and the patient returns to her daily activities more quickly.

The method can now be combined with the use of medical robots, crowned by the MAKO robotic arm, which is a technological revolution, since it offers accurate pre-operative planning, but also the possibility of corrections during the operation and helps the surgeon in the placement of the implants arthroplasty with extreme precision and minimization of knee tissue damage, which reduces hospitalization time and greatly accelerates post-operative rehabilitation.

However, we must clarify that modern technological means, such as medical robots, cannot turn a mediocre surgeon into a good one, but they can certainly make the outcome of a very good surgeon, excellent.

Arthroscopy

Finally, meniscal tears, which do not only affect athletes, but all of us, regardless of age, are mostly treated with knee arthroscopy. Arthroscopy is a procedure performed through two 5mm skin incisions. On the one hand, a very small camera is inserted, which allows full control of the knee joint, while on the other hand, the damage is repaired with special tools. The patient can return the same day to her home walking without crutches and without splints.

in conclusion

Minimal surgical techniques require special experience and a high degree of specialization of the surgeon and respond to the needs of the modern female patient, ensuring immediate treatment of pain, minimal hospitalization time, quick return to daily or sports activities, shorter return to work and reduced hospitalization costs .