Dr. Abbasi realized that continuing to make surgical incisions smaller and smaller would only advance minimally invasive spinal care so far – it was time for a massive overhaul in the realm of spine surgery. This overhaul had already been made in other areas of surgical practice, such as cardiac and gastrointestinal procedures. This overhaul minimizes the use of direct visualization of the affected area and primarily uses fluoroscopic guidance, (real-time imaging of the procedure, to direct the surgeon).

Fluoroscopic guidance can be compared to a pilot “flying by instruments.” Like a pilot trying to navigate in heavy fog, the instruments are often more accurate than direct eyesight. Epidural spinal injections have long been safely and effectively performed with fluoroscopic guidance because of its accuracy.

Fluoroscopic guidance was the quantum leap that led to the groundbreaking advances in the minimally invasive spine surgeries provided by Inspired Spine today. It meant that we could significantly reduce the surgical approach or “path” to the diseased area of the spine, such as a herniated disc. By minimizing that path, we greatly reduce the damage to the body, so it can recover faster and produce better outcomes for our patients.