How Does Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Work?
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Minimally invasive spine (MIS) surgery is performed to stabilize the vertebral bones and spinal joints and/or relieve the pressure being applied to the spinal nerves. This is often a result of conditions such as spinal instability, bone spurs, herniated discs, scoliosis, or spinal tumors.
In comparison to open spine surgery, minimally invasive surgical approaches can be quicker, safer, and require less recovery time. Due to the reduced trauma to the muscles and soft tissues (compared to open procedures), the potential benefits are:
- Better cosmetic results from smaller skin incisions
- Less blood loss from surgery
- Reduced risk of muscle damage
- Reduced risk of infection and postoperative pain
- Faster recovery from surgery
- Diminished reliance on pain medications
Some MIS surgeries are performed as outpatient procedures and use only local anesthesia, so there is less risk for an adverse reaction to general anesthesia.
The conditions treated with MIS are:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated disc
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Spinal deformities such as scoliosis
- Spinal infections
- Spinal instability including spondylolisthesis
- Vertebral compression fractures
- Spinal tumors
