Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
A less disruptive approach to spine surgery — when it’s the right approach.
For appropriately patients, minimally invasive spine surgery uses specialized techniques and smaller surgical approaches to address certain spine conditions while limiting disruption to surrounding tissues.
WHAT IS MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE SURGERY?
The same goal.
A different way of getting there.
Minimally invasive spine surgery, often called MIS, refers to a range of techniques that allow a surgeon to reach the spine through smaller approaches than may be used in traditional open surgery.
Depending on the procedure, specialized instruments, imaging, tubular retractors, or an endoscope may be used to access the area being treated..
Herniated Disc & Lumbar Radiculopathy
When a herniated disc compresses a nerve, patients may experience pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness extending into the leg. Certain disc herniations can be treated through minimally invasive decompression or discectomy techniques.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS
Why use a minimally invasive approach?
Smaller incisions
Many minimally invasive procedures can be performed through smaller surgical openings.
Less disruption of surrounding tissue
Specialized approaches can reach the spine while limiting disruption to surrounding muscles and tissues.
Potential for less postoperative discomfort
Some patients may experience less early postoperative pain, although every procedure and recovery is different.
Potential for earlier recovery
A less-invasive approach may allow an earlier return to certain activities.
CONDITIONS TREATED
What can be treated with minimally invasive spine surgery?
Minimally invasive techniques can be used for a number of spine conditions, depending on the location and nature of the problem.
Herniated Disc & Lumbar Radiculopathy
When a herniated disc compresses a nerve, patients may experience pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness extending into the leg. Certain disc herniations can be treated through minimally invasive decompression or discectomy techniques.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing around the nerves in the lower back can cause leg pain, heaviness, numbness, or weakness, particularly with standing or walking. Certain patterns of stenosis may be treated using minimally invasive decompression techniques.
Spinal Instability
Some conditions require stabilization in addition to relieving pressure on the nerves. Depending on the problem, certain fusion procedures may be performed using minimally invasive techniques.
Selected Revision Spine Procedures
For patients who have previously undergone spine surgery, certain problems may be approached using less-invasive techniques. Revision surgery requires careful evaluation of the prior operation, current anatomy, symptoms, and imaging.
Having one of these conditions does not necessarily mean you need surgery — or that a minimally invasive approach is appropriate.
CANDIDACY
Am I a candidate for endoscopic spine surgery?
Whether a minimally invasive approach makes sense depends on much more than an MRI.
Dr. Perrone considers:
Your symptoms — What are you actually experiencing?
Your physical exam — Do the examination findings correspond with the suspected problem?
Your imaging — What do the MRI and X-rays show?
What you’ve already tried — Have appropriate non-surgical treatments been exhausted?
Your goals — What are you hoping to get back to doing?
Those pieces help determine not only whether surgery is appropriate, but also which surgical approach makes the most sense.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is minimally invasive spine surgery better than traditional surgery?
Not necessarily. The appropriate approach depends on the condition, anatomy and operation required. A smaller approach is only beneficial if it adequately addresses the underlying problem.
How large is the incision?
Incision size varies depending on the procedure. Minimally invasive techniques generally use smaller surgical approaches than comparable traditional open procedures, but there is no single incision size for all MIS operations.
Is minimally invasive spine surgery outpatient?
Some procedures may be performed on an outpatient basis, while others require a hospital stay. This depends on the procedure and the individual patient.
How long is recovery?
Recovery varies considerably depending on the operation, condition, overall health and activity goals. Dr. Perrone can provide more specific expectations once the appropriate procedure is determined.
Is endoscopic surgery minimally invasive?
Yes. Endoscopic spine surgery is one type of minimally invasive spine surgery. However, not every minimally invasive operation is endoscopic.
Can minimally invasive surgery treat spinal stenosis or sciatica?
Certain causes of spinal stenosis, lumbar radiculopathy and sciatica may be treated using minimally invasive techniques. Whether that approach is appropriate depends on the specific cause and anatomy.
What can be treated with minimally invasive spine surgery?
Minimally invasive techniques can be used for a number of spine conditions, depending on the location and nature of the problem.
Herniated Disc & Lumbar Radiculopathy
When a herniated disc compresses a nerve, patients may experience pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness extending into the leg. Certain disc herniations can be treated through minimally invasive decompression or discectomy techniques.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing around the nerves in the lower back can cause leg pain, heaviness, numbness, or weakness, particularly with standing or walking. Certain patterns of stenosis may be treated using minimally invasive decompression techniques.
ENDOSCOPIC VS. MINIMALLY INVASIVE
Is endoscopic spine surgery the same thing?
Not exactly.
Minimally invasive spine surgery is a broad category encompassing different techniques designed to reduce disruption to surrounding tissues.
Endoscopic spine surgery is a specific type of minimally invasive surgery that uses an endoscope — a small camera — and specialized instruments to access and treat certain areas of the spine.
This distinction is worth explaining because patients often hear the terms used interchangeably.