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Q&A

Q1.How soon can I be discharged after minimally invasive spine surgery? How long does it take to recover? Is rehabilitation necessary?

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Minimally invasive spine surgery allows for a faster discharge compared to traditional surgery. The hospital stay typically ranges from 1 to 7 days after surgery, depending on the patient’s condition and the type of procedure performed.

Overall, research shows that minimally invasive surgery significantly shortens both hospital stays and recovery periods compared to traditional surgery.

Regarding rehabilitation, due to less soft tissue damage, the recovery time is significantly reduced. Some patients may not require any rehabilitation following minimally invasive procedures.

Q2.Do the screws implanted during spine surgery need to be removed?

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Many patients worry about whether the screws implanted during spine surgery need to be removed.

According to medical studies, spinal screws are designed to remain stable in the body for the long term. If the screws are made of titanium alloy, removal is typically not necessary after implantation.

 

Q3.How soon can I get out of bed after spine surgery?

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Minimally invasive spine surgery allows patients to get out of bed sooner than with traditional surgery. Approximately 98% of patients can get out of bed the day after surgery.

The hospital stay ranges from 1 to 5 days post-surgery, depending on the patient’s condition and the type of procedure.

As literature suggests, minimally invasive surgery significantly shortens both hospital stays and recovery periods.

Regarding rehabilitation, due to reduced soft tissue damage, the rehabilitation period is greatly shortened. In some cases, rehabilitation may not even be necessary.

Q4.What is the difference between minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery and traditional spine surgery?

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Advantages of minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery include:

  1. Less tissue damage: Compared to traditional surgery, the surgical pathway is only 8mm wide, resulting in minimal soft tissue and muscle disruption. Most patients can get out of bed on the day of surgery and be discharged the same day or the next day. Retrospective studies have shown that, compared to traditional surgery, endoscopic surgery allows patients to return to work sooner, experience less postoperative back pain, have shorter hospital stays, and spend less time in surgery.
  2. Smaller incisions: The incision is approximately 1cm.
  3. Option for local anesthesia: Surgery can potentially be performed under local anesthesia, reducing the risk of nerve injury during the procedure.
  4. Enhanced visualization: The magnification provided during surgery allows for clearer visibility of nerves, reducing the risk of nerve injury.

Q5.How long does an artificial knee joint last?

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Most artificial knee joints can last 10 to 15 years or longer.

Q6.What types of minimally invasive spine surgeries are available?

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The following types of minimally invasive spine surgeries are offered:

  • 3D Computer-Assisted Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
  • 3D Computer-Assisted Minimally Invasive Revision Spine Surgery
  • 3D Computer-Assisted Scoliosis and Kyphosis Correction Surgery
  • 3D Computer-Assisted Minimally Invasive Anterior and Posterior Fusion Surgery (OLIF Surgery)

Q7.How soon can I shower after spine or joint surgery?

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Before stitches are removed: Keep the wound dry and avoid water contact. Sponge baths are recommended. If necessary, use plastic wrap to protect the wound while showering.

 

After stitches are removed: Wait 1 week before showering directly. Do not scrub the incision site.

Q8.How to Change a Surgical Bandage.

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【Wound Dressing Instructions】

  1. Clean the wound in a circular motion starting from the center outward, extending about 5 cm.
  2. Once the wound area is cleaned, avoid returning to the center with the same cleaning tool.
  3. Use the edges of sterile gauze to cover the wound.
  4. Secure the gauze with 3M medical tape around all edges.

Q9.How do I care for my surgical wound and change the dressing?

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【Wound Dressing Instructions】

  1. Clean the wound in a circular motion starting from the center outward, extending about 5 cm.
  2. Once the wound area is cleaned, avoid returning to the center with the same cleaning tool.
  3. Use the edges of sterile gauze to cover the wound.
  4. Secure the gauze with 3M medical tape around all edges.

Q10.Can I climb stairs after spine surgery?

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ou can walk and climb stairs as normal after surgery. However, for the first two weeks, it is recommended to rest as much as possible. After two weeks, you may gradually resume exercise based on your physical capacity, but avoid overexertion or strenuous activity.

Q11.How long should I use a walker or crutches after spine or joint surgery?

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Use a walker or crutches for 2 to 4 weeks after surgery. Consult your attending physician to determine if and when you can stop using assistive devices based on your recovery progress.

Q12.How long should I take pain medications after surgery?

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Take pain medications for 2 to 4 weeks following surgery. Consult your attending physician to evaluate your condition and decide when it is appropriate to stop the medication.

 

 

Q13.Can I squat after total knee replacement surgery?

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With ROSA Knee robotic-arm-assisted total knee replacement surgery, patients can achieve a knee flexion of over 120 degrees postoperatively without the need for rehabilitation, meeting daily activity requirements. Most patients are able to squat after surgery. However, squatting is a single-point loading motion, which is not an ideal posture for patients with degenerative knee arthritis. To protect the artificial joint, we recommend avoiding this position.

Q14.After multiple spine surgeries, I still feel pain. Is revision spine surgery likely to succeed?

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With accurate diagnosis, advanced medical equipment, and specialized surgical techniques, it is possible to successfully treat failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), also known as post-laminectomy syndrome.

 

Q15.Is rehabilitation needed after cervical spine surgery?

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For most minimally invasive cervical spine surgeries, the nerve-related pain and numbness can be significantly improved post-surgery, and rehabilitation is generally not required. However, in cases of severe nerve compression, temporary weakness may occur after surgery. This condition is typically resolved within six months post-operation.

Q16.Is Corrective Surgery for Spinal Scoliosis High Risk?

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By utilizing computer-navigated surgical techniques, minimally invasive surgical approaches, and advanced precision medical equipment, scoliosis correction surgery can be performed safely.

 

Q17.Is spine fusion surgery covered by insurance?

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Spine fusion surgery is typically partially covered by national health insurance. Coverage includes anesthesia, hospitalization costs, and surgical fees. However, certain medical materials and specialized surgical techniques may require partial out-of-pocket payment by the patient.
Common self-funded medical materials include spine screws, spine cages, artificial bone, and specialized drills. Each item has options available under insurance or for self-payment.
The physician will recommend the most suitable medical materials based on the patient’s condition and health status, but the final decision is up to the patient.

 

Q18.What are the advantages of OLIF (Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion)?

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  1. Preserves the integrity of posterior spinal muscles → Enhances spinal stability.
  2. Avoids damage to spinal bones and facet joints on both sides → Further improves spinal stability.
  3. Indirect nerve decompression without direct nerve manipulation → Significantly reduces the risk of nerve injury during surgery.
  4. Substantially reduces intraoperative blood loss.
  5. Smaller incision, lowering the risk of postoperative infections.
  6. Greatly alleviates postoperative pain.
  7. Shortens recovery and hospitalization time significantly.
 
 
 
 
 

Q19.Why is OLIF considered a new pathway for minimally invasive spine surgery?

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Most surgeons are more familiar with the traditional posterior approach for spine fusion surgeries, which typically involves a 10–15 cm incision along the back. Even with computer-assisted navigation in minimally invasive methods, the posterior approach requires direct decompression of nerves, often causing damage to the fascia, muscles, tendons, facet joints, and lamina around the spine. This leads to significant structural disruption, longer operative times, and greater blood loss during surgery. The extent of tissue damage in traditional methods also results in more postoperative pain and longer recovery times.
OLIF, on the other hand, uses a small incision on the lateral abdominal area to access the spine directly, avoiding the complex layers of muscles and tissues in the back. This approach significantly reduces the side effects associated with traditional spine surgeries, leading to minimal tissue damage, reduced blood loss, and faster recovery. Moreover, OLIF minimizes nerve and vascular injuries, enabling most patients to walk on the same day of surgery.

Q20.What are the indications for OLIF?

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The indications for OLIF (Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion) are broad and primarily include conditions such as sciatica, herniated discs, degenerative spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, lumbar instability, adjacent segment disease after lumbar surgery, and recurrent issues in patients who have previously undergone posterior spinal surgeries. These conditions can all be treated using the minimally invasive OLIF technique via the anterior-lateral approach for spinal fusion.

Q21.What are the risks of scoliosis correction surgery?

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Potential complications include nerve damage, such as hemiplegia, quadriplegia, or peripheral nerve injury, as well as intraoperative blood loss, postoperative wound infection, and implant fractures.

We have made complex surgeries minimally invasive.

However, through our center’s standardized minimally invasive spine surgery protocols and advanced navigational surgical equipment, we can minimize the risks of complex surgeries, ensuring that patients receive treatment safely and effectively.

Q22.How severe does scoliosis need to be for surgical treatment?

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Clinically, the severity of scoliosis is evaluated using the Cobb angle. A curvature greater than 10 degrees is classified as scoliosis. If the curvature exceeds 40 degrees, surgical treatment is recommended.

Q23.Will scoliosis correction surgery make me taller?

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Yes, depending on the degree of spinal curvature, there is a possibility of gaining 3-5 cm in height after the correction.

Q24.Can I bend my back after scoliosis correction surgery?

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Regardless of whether you've had spine surgery, bending your back is considered a bad habit, so it’s best to avoid it. After scoliosis correction surgery, you will be educated on proper posture and the common postural mistakes to avoid to prevent the need for repeat surgeries.

Q25.Will scoliosis correction surgery affect daily activities and exercise in the future?

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The answer is no! During the first year after scoliosis surgery, there will be some restrictions on activities and exercise. You will also be educated to avoid excessive twisting, bending, high-intensity, or high-impact sports. After one year post-surgery, you can discuss suitable exercises with your doctor.

Q26.Do I need to wear a brace after scoliosis correction surgery? How long should I wear it?

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To maintain proper alignment and stability of the spine after surgery, wearing a brace can provide appropriate support to reduce spinal pressure. It also helps protect the spine by limiting movement, promoting spinal fusion, and preventing complications related to posture. In general, wearing a brace is recommended for about 3 months.

Q27.What are the risks of spine surgery?

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Minimally invasive spine surgery generally has lower risks compared to traditional surgery, but certain complications or side effects may still occur. These include wound infection, nerve damage, blood clot formation, or unsatisfactory surgical outcomes. The likelihood of these risks varies depending on the patient’s individual condition, age, existing health issues, and the complexity of the procedure. Therefore, it is crucial to have thorough consultations with your physician before surgery to fully understand the potential risks and precautions, ensuring the most suitable treatment plan is chosen.

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