Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

BayCare Health System offers minimally invasive spine surgery, an innovative procedure which delivers significant benefits to patients with a variety of conditions including spinal fractures, herniated discs and lumbar spinal stenosis. This type of surgery is just one of the options we provide at BayCare where we are constantly improving and expanding our array of procedures.  We were one of the first in the region to offer both minimally invasive fusion (joining of two vertebrae) and microdiscectomy, a procedure that eliminates pain by removing a section of disc that is stressing the spinal cord or radiating nerves. Currently, our minimally invasive treatments include:

• Minimally invasive microdiscectomy uses a system of progressing dilating tubes to preserve the muscles while surgically treating disc herniations. This procedure is performed through a small incision in the skin (about ¾ of an inch). The muscles are separated with the dilators, instead of being cut off the bone. With the aid of a microscope, the herniated portion of disc is removed to relieve pressure on the nerves.
• Minimally invasive DISC Nucleoplasty is a discectomy that is performed percutaneously, or through a needle. This procedure can reduce or eliminate pain caused by a contained herniated disc (where there is no rupture in the outer wall). This technique uses a unique plasma technology called Coblation® to remove the herniated portion of disc. It is conducted with a local anesthetic and takes only about 30 minutes. The patient is able to leave shortly afterward, with only a small bandage over the needle insertion site.
• Minimally invasive posterior lumbar fusion is a procedure that preserves muscles while arresting abnormal motion between vertebrae. It can remove large herniated disc and bone spurs when a microdiscectomy is not surgically indicated. With the aid of microscope, our surgeons can use small dilating tubes to remove the disc and insert screws and rods to fuse a section of the lumbar spine. This technique reduces blood loss, shortens the hospital stay, and reduces trauma to the back muscles, which allows for faster rehabilitation and recovery.
• Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive treatment for spinal fractures caused by osteoporosis. This procedure uses balloons to gently raise the collapsed vertebrae in an attempt to return them to the correct position and height. The procedure can reduce pain, improve mobility and greatly improve a patient’s quality of life.

Our experienced spine surgeons attend additional spine training programs to perform these specialized procedures. We also participate in clinical studies of new products and procedures. Thousands of patients each year get relief from severe back and neck pain thanks to minimally invasive procedures performed by our highly qualified surgeons and specially trained surgical staff.

For more information or a physician referral, call (855) 546-6297 or find a doctor near you.