Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Specialist

J. Rafe Sales, MD Our Services Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
J. Rafe Sales, MD - - Spine Surgeon

J. Rafe Sales, MD

Spine Surgeon located in Portland, Newberg & Lake Oswego, OR

While in many cases, back pain is treatable with noninvasive treatment, in other situations, J. Rafe Sales, MD, a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon, recommends surgery. At his practice at St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Sales offers a wide range of state-of-the-art minimally invasive spine surgeries, including lumbar spinal fusion. If you have back pain that’s interfering with your life, call Dr. Sales or book an appointment online today.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Q & A

What is minimally invasive spine surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery uses state-of-the-art surgical techniques and instruments to perform operations through a few small incisions in the body instead of a large incision. 

Dr. Sales is a leader in minimally invasive spine surgery and uses these techniques to stabilize your vertebrae, repair or replace spinal discs, remove bone spurs and other abnormal growths, and relieve pressure on your spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Some of the available minimally invasive spine surgeries include:

  • Artificial disc replacement
  • Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal fusion
  • Microdiscectomy
  • Laminectomy
  • Extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF)
  • Sacroiliac fusion
  • Spinal cord stimulation implantation 

Minimally invasive surgery allows Dr. Sales to repair your spine with a low risk of trauma to the muscles, connective tissue, and nerves in your back. During a conventional spinal surgery, your surgeon needs to move your muscles and organs out of the way to reach your spine. 

However, during minimally invasive surgery, he uses equipment that transmits video from inside your body to a screen in the operating room that allows him to see your spine and use specialized surgical tools to make repairs. 

What are the benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery?

Minimally invasive spinal surgery is typically faster and safer than conventional open operations. In most cases, you have a more rapid recovery, too. Minimally invasive surgery also results in less blood loss, a lower risk of muscle damage, and less scarring. These techniques also reduce your risk of infection and postoperative pain.

When is minimally invasive spine surgery necessary?

Dr. Sales uses minimally invasive surgical techniques whenever possible because of the many benefits it offers to you as a patient. He provides minimally invasive surgery to address issues, including:

  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Herniated discs
  • Lumbar spinal stenosis
  • Cervical spinal stenosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Vertebral compression fractures
  • Structural abnormalities

As a national leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, Dr. Sales provides outstanding surgical care and patient outcomes. For example, a minimally invasive lumbar fusion usually takes between 60-90 minutes and is available as an outpatient procedure. Even if you need to stay in the hospital overnight, your stay should be less than 24 hours. Additionally, he offers minimally invasive cervical spine surgery as an outpatient procedure, and most patients are back to work within a week.

If you’re looking for an expert orthopedic spine surgeon, call Dr. Sales or book an appointment online today.