Minimally Invasive Treatments


Andrews Institute specializes in a variety of minimally invasive treatments including:

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy:

Platelet Rich Plasma is blood plasma with concentrated platelets. These platelets include bioactive proteins that initiate connective tissue healing such as bone, tendon and ligament regeneration and repair. PRP can be injected in tendons and ligaments all over the body, which can help with sports injuries and more specific injuries including tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints and many other damaged ligaments and tendons. Patients see significant improvement immediately, which may eliminate the need for aggressive treatments, such as long term medication or surgery.

Minimally Invasive Spine Procedures:

Andrews Institute has established a Spine Center that specializes in minimally invasive spine procedures. Our physicians are on the leading edge, developing new surgical techniques through ongoing clinical research and by taking on difficult cases. Our patients suffer much less pain and are often back to their normal activities within a few days to weeks.

Minimally Invasive Shoulder, Elbow, Hip and Knee Procedures:

Minimally Invasive orthopedic surgeries are a specialty for the Andrews Institute. Our surgeons provide outpatient procedures that allow a person to be home resting comfortably the same day as their surgery. Many of our surgeons specialize in one or a few orthopedic areas and have undergone rigorous fellowship training in order to develop the expertise to successfully complete these surgeries.

Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Procedures:

Andrews Institute is unique in that it has orthopedic foot and ankle specialists who see patients five days a week. They are the only board-certified orthopedic foot and ankle specialists in the Pensacola area to surgically treat patients utilizing arthroscopic and open treatment of all foot and ankle disorders.

Minimally Invasive Hand and Wrist Procedures:

Andrews Institute is able to treat congenital, traumatic and acquired conditions of the hand, wrist and elbow as well as reconstructive microsurgery of the limbs including replantation and vascularized tissue transfer. Common conditions include carpal tunnel syndrome, fractures, arthritis and sports injuries.

Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Benefits:

  • Significantly less post-operative pain
  • Less damage to tissue
  • Reduced recovery time
  • Faster return to normal activities
  • Less scarring
  • Very small "keyhole" incisions or greatly reduced incision size
  • Some procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis, requiring no overnight stay in the hospital.
  • Most arthroscopic procedures can be performed under local or regional anesthesia (blocks), requiring only sedation. This results in fewer side effects and post-operative pain compared to traditional general anesthesia.

LESS PAIN

Minimally invasive treatments cause less post-operative pain and discomfort. Studies have shown that patients undergoing minimally invasive procedures report less pain and require smaller doses of pain relievers than patients undergoing traditional surgeries.

QUICKER OUTPATIET STAYS

Patients who undergo minimally invasive treatments are usually able to go home sooner, and, in many cases, the patient is able to return to normal activities and work more quickly.

LESS SCARRING

Minimally invasive treatments require smaller incisions, which means smaller, less noticeable scars. The scars that do form as a result of minimally invasive treatments typically have a less jagged edge, giving them a more appealing look.

LESS INJURY TO TISSUE

Most traditional surgeries require a long incision. This incision usually has to be made through muscle. Muscle needs a significant time to heal after surgery. Because there are no long incisions in minimally invasive surgery, surgeons often do not have to cut through muscles to complete the procedure, leading to less tissue damage and quicker recovery.

HIGHER ACCURACY RATE

Minimally invasive procedures have a higher accuracy rate for most procedures. Because minimally invasive procedures use video-assisted equipment, the surgeon has better visualization and magnification of internal organs and structure. For patients, this translates into a more accurate and definitive procedure.