Conditions Treated Using MIS Procedures

• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated disc
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Spinal deformities such as scoliosis
• Spinal infections
• Spinal instability
• Vertebral compression fractures
• Spinal Tumors

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

The Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice reports minimally invasive spine procedures are often viewed as superior to standard open spine surgeries.

Comparatively, to open surgery there's less injury to your soft tissues and muscles in a minimally invasive spine surgery. Some of the benefits include:

• Smaller incisions
• Less blood loss
• Reduced postoperative pain and risk of infection
• Reduced risk of muscle and tissue damage since there’s less or no muscle cutting required
• Faster recovery
• Less hospital stay, usually two or three days

and few others which you can get to know from your surgeon.

Common MIS Surgery Treatment Options

A number of specific techniques have been deployed for MIS surgery. Though the field continues to develop, the list below highlights some of the most common options:

• Discetomy : Spinal discs are essentially elastic rings with soft material inside that serve as cushions between the vertebral bones. If the elastic ring becomes incompetent or weakened, the soft tissue inside can extrude — or herniate — outside of the elastic ring. The herniated disc material can compress the nerves passing by, thus causing pain. If surgical treatment is recommended to trim or remove the herniated disc, it may be possible to perform this procedure with MIS surgery using tubular dilators and a microscope or endoscope.
• Spinal decompression : Spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the vertebral column, is a common condition that can result in compression of the nerves. This can produce a variety of symptoms, including pain, numbness and muscle weakness. If surgery is recommended, it may be possible to remove the bone and soft tissues causing the nerve compression through an MIS approach using tubular dilators and a microscope or endoscope. The more common decompressive procedures include laminectomy and foraminotomy.
• MIS TLIF (Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) : This is a MIS technique that is performed in patients with refractory mechanical low back and radicular pain associated with spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease and recurrent disc herniation. The TLIF approach may also have potential in patients with low back pain caused by postlaminectomy instability, spinal trauma or for treating pseudoarthrosis. The procedure is performed from the back (posterior) with the patient on his or her stomach.