Information for Patients

Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approaches have been developed to limit the morbidity of traditional open exposures to the spine and hasten patient recovery. These approaches generally involve smaller incisions and produce less damage to the paraspinous soft tissues. In addition, a number of studies suggest that reduced intraoperative blood loss, less postoperative pain, a shorter period of hospitalization, and quicker return to normal activities can be achieved with the use of an MIS approach. A variety of lumbar spinal conditions can now be treated with an MIS approach. This article describes MIS procedures used in the treatment of symptomatic radiculopathy caused by disk herniation or lateral recess stenosis, as well as minimally invasive lumbar fusion for patients with symptomatic instability of the lumbar spine, or for those with destabilizing trauma, infection, or tumors of the spine.