Chronic lower back pain can affect how a person works, sleeps, moves and spends time with family, but a physician from University Medical Center of El Paso aims to bring relief. For some patients, surgery may eventually become part of the treatment plan, but newer minimally invasive techniques are changing how certain spine procedures are performed.
UMC’s Dr. Jaime Gasco, Medical Director of Neurosurgery at UMC Surgical Hospital, specializes in minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery. In February, he completed his 300th Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion (OLIF) procedure at UMC, a specialized technique performed by only a limited number of surgeons nationwide.
A Less Invasive Approach to Spine Surgery
OLIF is designed for patients with conditions such as sciatica and lower back pain related to moderate to severe spinal degeneration. Instead of using a traditional open approach, the procedure uses minimally invasive access to reach the spine while limiting disruption to surrounding muscles and tissues.
The procedure is designed to restore disc height and spinal alignment, which can help relieve pressure on nerves that may contribute to pain, numbness or weakness. Recent advances have also allowed Dr. Gasco to incorporate endoscopic techniques into OLIF procedures.
What Recovery Can Look Like
One of the potential benefits of a minimally invasive approach is a shorter hospital stay. UMC reports that more than 98 percent of Dr. Gasco’s OLIF patients are discharged within one day following surgery. Individual recovery times depend on the procedure and the patient’s condition.
Dr. Gasco received advanced endoscopic spine surgery training in Spain and holds Level 4 certification through Avicenna Technical University. UMC Healthcare Partners says he has performed more than 400 minimally invasive fusions.
Advanced Spine Care in El Paso
Patients seeking specialized spine care do not necessarily have to leave the region for advanced surgical options. UMC Healthcare Partners’ Nexus Neurosurgery team treats conditions affecting the spine, with physicians specializing in minimally invasive surgery, spinal deformities, degenerative spine conditions and other complex procedures.
For someone living with persistent back or leg pain, the first step is understanding what is causing the problem. A spine specialist can evaluate the condition and determine whether nonsurgical treatment, minimally invasive surgery or another approach may be appropriate.
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