Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

At Vertrae®, minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) is a cornerstone of our approach to spine care.

Under the expertise of Dr. Kamal Woods, these advanced techniques use small incisions and specialized tools to treat spinal conditions with minimal tissue disruption, resulting in quicker recovery times, less pain, and reduced scarring for our patients.

Learn more about your options by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Kamal Woods today!

What is minimally invasive spinal surgery?

Minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) refers to surgical techniques designed to treat spinal conditions with as little disruption to the surrounding tissues as possible. Unlike traditional open surgery, which requires a large incision and significant muscle retraction, MISS uses smaller incisions, specialized instruments, and often relies on advanced technologies like tubular retractors, microscopes, and robotic-assistance to provide a clear view of the surgical site.

At Vertrae®, our focus on minimally invasive procedures means that we leverage cutting-edge techniques, including robotic-assisted surgery, to deliver precise, effective care with reduced recovery times. Dr. Kamal Woods is a leader in this field, using these innovative methods to address various spinal issues while prioritizing patient comfort and outcomes. This approach aligns with Vertrae’s mission of combining best-in-class technology with holistic wellness, ensuring that patients receive personalized and minimally disruptive care for their spinal conditions.

What conditions does minimally invasive spinal surgery treat?

Minimally invasive spine surgery can treat a range of spine conditions that cause pain, discomfort, or mobility issues. These conditions often involve the bones (vertebrae), discs, joints, and nerves of the spine. Some of the most common conditions treated at Vertrae using minimally invasive techniques include:

Herniated Discs: When the soft inner part of the disc pushes through its outer layer, pressing on nearby nerves and causing pain, numbness, or weakness. MISS procedures, such as microdiscectomy, can remove the portion of the disc that’s causing nerve compression.
Degenerative Disc Disease: As spinal discs age, they lose flexibility and hydration, which can result in pain. MISS options like spinal fusion or disc replacement can help stabilize the spine.
Spinal Stenosis: This occurs when the spinal canal narrows, compressing the spinal cord and nerves. Minimally invasive decompression procedures like laminectomy can remove the tissue that’s causing the narrowing.
Spondylolisthesis: A condition where one vertebra slips over the one below it, often requiring spinal stabilization procedures like fusion, which can be done using minimally invasive techniques.
Sciatica: A result of nerve compression in the lower back, causing radiating pain down the legs. MISS can relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Spinal Tumors: Tumors in or around the spine may need to be surgically removed, and MISS allows this to be done with less disruption to surrounding tissues.
Vertebral Fractures: Minimally invasive procedures like kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty can be used to stabilize vertebrae that have fractured, often due to osteoporosis or trauma.

At Vertrae, we ensure that every treatment plan is tailored to the patient’s specific condition, using minimally invasive techniques to minimize recovery time and maximize effectiveness.

What are the types of minimally invasive spinal surgery?

Several types of minimally invasive spinal surgeries are commonly performed at Vertrae to address various spinal conditions. Each surgery is designed to reduce tissue damage and promote faster healing. The types include:

Microdiscectomy: This procedure is commonly used to treat herniated discs. It involves removing the portion of the disc that is compressing the nerve, using a small incision and a microscope to guide the surgery.
Minimally Invasive Laminectomy (Decompression Surgery): A laminectomy removes a part of the vertebra called the lamina to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, often due to spinal stenosis. Using minimally invasive methods reduces the amount of tissue that needs to be cut or moved.
Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion: This procedure involves joining two or more vertebrae to eliminate movement between them and stabilize the spine. Special screws, rods, and bone grafts are placed through small incisions to encourage the bones to fuse over time. Robotic assistance can improve the accuracy and precision of these placements.
Kyphoplasty/Vertebroplasty: These procedures are used to stabilize vertebrae that have been fractured. A balloon is inflated inside the vertebra to restore height (in kyphoplasty), and cement is injected to stabilize the bone. Both procedures are done through small incisions, requiring less recovery time.
Spinal Cord Stimulator Placement: For chronic pain conditions, a spinal cord stimulator can be implanted using minimally invasive techniques. This device sends electrical impulses to the spinal cord to block pain signals from reaching the brain.
SI Joint Fusion: This procedure is used to treat sacroiliac joint dysfunction, where the joint connecting the spine to the pelvis becomes painful. The surgery involves fusing the joint using a minimally invasive technique such as the Rialto Fusion System, which requires only small incisions.

At Vertrae, we are one of the few centers in Ohio that offer robotic-assisted minimally invasive spinal surgery, allowing for greater precision, shorter operating times, and more predictable outcomes.

What are the benefits of minimally invasive spinal surgery?

Minimally invasive spinal surgery offers numerous advantages over traditional open surgery, aligning with Vertrae’s commitment to personalized, holistic care. These benefits include:

Smaller Incisions: With minimally invasive techniques, incisions are much smaller compared to traditional open surgery, often leading to less noticeable scars.
Reduced Muscle Damage: Instead of cutting through muscles to access the spine, MISS involves carefully separating muscles or using tubular retractors. This leads to less muscle damage, which in turn speeds up recovery.
Less Pain Post-Surgery: Because the muscles and tissues are less disturbed, patients often experience less pain following surgery, which can reduce the need for pain medications.
Faster Recovery Time: Since the surgery is less invasive, patients typically experience faster recovery times, allowing them to return to normal activities more quickly. Vertrae’s approach focuses on getting patients back to their routines with as little disruption as possible.
Shorter Hospital Stays: Many minimally invasive procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis, meaning patients can go home the same day or after a shorter hospital stay.
Lower Risk of Infection: Smaller incisions reduce the exposure of internal tissues to the external environment, lowering the risk of infection.
Less Blood Loss: With smaller incisions and reduced tissue disruption, there is typically less blood loss during minimally invasive procedures.
Precision and Accuracy: When robotic assistance is used, such as in Vertrae’s advanced spinal procedures, surgeons can operate with greater accuracy, resulting in more consistent and favorable outcomes for patients.

By focusing on minimally invasive techniques, Vertrae aims to deliver not only the best possible surgical outcomes but also a more comfortable and faster recovery for every patient. This approach reinforces Vertrae’s philosophy of personalized, timely care that leverages technology to enhance patient well-being.