Less Is More: Minimally Invasive Spine Procedures

New techniques and technologies are constantly improving the options for spine surgery. Procedures that once meant a lengthy hospital stay and recovery period can now amount to a few days stay and a quick return to normal. Through advancements in endoscopic surgery (sometimes dubbed keyhole surgery) patients achieve the same positive results as larger-scale surgeries, but with far fewer complications or infections, less scarring, less blood loss, and, best of all, a faster recovery. Endoscopic spine surgery uses very thin telescope-like endoscopes and minute cameras to navigate around tissue and make surgical corrections through incisions no larger than a keyhole.

Minimally invasive and other types of spine surgeries can be performed on the neck, the middle or thoracic back, and the low or lumbar region. Among the procedures performed by our experts:

Artificial Disc Replacement: Rather than "fuse" together two vertebrae that are intended to move independently and allow full range of motion, artificial discs help surgeons maintain the full flexibility and function of the spine while reducing painful symptoms related to disc conditions.

Spinal Fusions: For some patients who suffer from degenerative disc disease or other conditions, NOHC's surgeons have advanced surgical technology to increase safety and accuracy. Discectomies and Laminectomies: microsurgical removals of troubling, painful discs, fragments, or impinged tissues.

Vertebroplasty: doctors inject a medical "cement" through a needle into painful fractured or compressed vertebrae to stabilize the area and relieve pain.

Kyphoplasty: this newer technique combines vertebroplasty with a balloon-like insert for treatment of progressive, degenerative discs and compression fractures.