Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

What is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

Traditional spine surgery requires large incisions to access the spine. Minimally invasive spine surgery uses advances in medical technology to perform procedures through smaller openings, dramatically reducing the amount of damage to the muscles and tissues that surround your spine.

Using specialized instruments and real-time imaging, Dr. Lee can access the spine through incisions as small as a few centimeters, preserving the surrounding muscles and soft tissues while achieving the same surgical goals as traditional open surgery.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive techniques offer significant advantages over traditional open spine surgery:

• Less blood loss during the procedure
• Smaller scars from reduced incision size
• Reduced risk of complications and infection
• Faster recovery time with less rehabilitation needed
• Less post-operative pain and reduced need for pain medications
• Outpatient procedures - many surgeries don't require hospital stays
• Quicker return to work and daily activities

Conditions Treated

Minimally invasive techniques can be used to treat a wide range of spinal conditions, including:

• Herniated discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spinal stenosis
• Compression fractures
• Spinal instability
• Spinal infections
• Spinal tumors
• Deformities such as scoliosis

Common Procedures

Discectomy

A discectomy removes or trims herniated disc material that is pressing on a nerve. Using minimally invasive techniques, Dr. Lee can access the disc through a small incision, remove the problematic material, and relieve your pain with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues.

Disc Replacement

Unlike spinal fusion, disc replacement substitutes a damaged disc with an artificial implant that preserves the natural movement of your spine. This can provide pain relief while maintaining flexibility and reducing stress on adjacent spinal segments.

Our Approach

At SpineDocs, we always explore nonsurgical treatments before recommending any type of surgery. When surgery is necessary, Dr. Lee will evaluate whether you are a candidate for minimally invasive techniques based on your specific condition, overall health, and treatment goals.

During your consultation, we'll explain all your options, answer your questions, and help you make an informed decision about your care.