Minimally invasive spine surgery treats spine conditions using small incisions. It limits damage to nearby muscles and tissue.
Minimally invasive spine surgery uses small incisions and specialized tools to treat spine conditions while limiting damage to nearby muscles and tissue. Compared with traditional open surgery, it may lead to less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a faster recovery.
If you or a loved one is exploring options for back or neck pain, minimally invasive spine surgery at AHN offers an advanced, patient-friendly alternative to traditional open surgery. By using state-of-the-art techniques and highly specialized tools, surgeons are able to treat spine conditions through smaller incisions with far less disruption to surrounding muscles and tissues. For patients, this means less postoperative pain, a lower risk of complications, and a faster, more comfortable path back to everyday life. The team of AHN neurosurgeons and care providers are dedicated to finding the best treatment options that will help improve your conditions and get you feeling back to your normal self.
Minimally invasive surgical techniques help preserve spinal structures and function. This helps maintain your spinal flexibility, reduces the stress on other spine areas, and relieve pain. We use this approach to treat many patients with:
Minimally invasive spine surgery can offer advantages over traditional open spine surgery for patients who are deemed eligible candidates. Of course, as with all surgeries, individual outcomes and experiences vary. Some of the possible benefits include:
Please keep in mind that everyone’s experience will be unique and people respond differently to surgery. Our clinical team is dedicated to understanding your personal values and supporting the specific recovery goals that matter most to you.
These are possibilities rather than guarantees, as every patient's body and condition respond differently.
At the AHN Neurosurgery Department, you have access to neurosurgeons with experience and expertise in minimally invasive procedures that may lead to less pain and quicker recoveries. AHN’s surgeons use cutting-edge, minimally invasive techniques to provide life-changing relief to patients affected by the debilitating symptoms of many neurological conditions. Choosing AHN for neurosurgery means entrusting your care to a leading neurosurgery team known for its integrated approach, advanced technology, and multidisciplinary expertise. We have highly skilled neurosurgeons, state-of-the-art facilities, and comprehensive support services, that delivers personalized and effective treatment for even the most complex neurological conditions. We are committed to providing a patient-centered approach and are committed to your entire care journey from diagnosis to recovery. Our program offers:
We’ll work with you to determine whether traditional spine surgery or a minimally invasive spine surgical option is best for your unique case. Either approach will be highly personalized to you. Whether you are considering minimally invasive back surgery or another approach, AHN uses both robotic and endoscopic surgery approaches for the various procedures we perform. Robotic surgery involves the use of computer technology and a robotic-assisted arm to help the surgeon make the precise movements that are required for spin surgery. Endoscopic surgery uses a small camera that’s guided by the surgeon to make small incisions. Your AHN care team will have in-depth discussions with you about which procedure will be best and allow for the most ideal health outcomes, so you can feel confident in your surgical plan.
AHN offers minimally invasive options for the treatment of chronic low back pain. Patients who experience chronic low back pain and have not found relief may be candidates for a minimally invasive procedure. These include two novel treatment options:
Intracept¹ is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure which targets a nerve located in the vertebrae called the basivertebral nerve (BVN). During the procedure, the surgeon advances a specialized probe into the vertebrae and uses radiofrequency energy to heat the BVN, rendering it unable to transmit pain signals to the brain. This procedure generally takes about an hour to perform.
ReActiv8² is designed to address the underlying cause of mechanical low back pain by helping patients restore neuromuscular control of the multifidus muscle. ReActiv8 is a device implanted underneath the skin during a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. A generator is connected to two electoral leads, which are positioned to stimulate the nerves that control your multifidus muscle. You control your twice-daily 30-minute therapy sessions, which can feel like a deep tissue massage.
Spine fusion and stabilization procedures are designed to join two or more vertebrae together, which helps eliminate painful motion and provides long-term stability to the spine. When performing these procedures minimally invasively, surgeons often use specialized lateral approaches, and a minimally invasive spinal surgery approach may be recommended based on your anatomy, such as:
This minimally invasive approach is used to fuse two or more bones of the spine together. By operating laterally, through the side of the body, our surgeons don’t have to cut through the major muscles of the back or abdomen. This can result in shorter hospital stays, less time in surgery, and decreased pain.
With this approach, our neurosurgeon will access and repair the lower spine from the front and side of the body. OLIF is often used for herniated disks, fractures to vertebrae, and other spinal deformities or concerns.
Minimally invasive spinal fusion involves permanently joining two or more bones of the spine together. This type of minimally invasive spinal fusion is used to treat several conditions, including degenerative disk disease, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, and breaks, infections, or tumors of the spinal column.
This procedure is designed to stop the pain caused by a spinal fracture or a compression fracture, kyphoplasty involves inserting a special balloon into the vertebrae and gently inflating it to return pieces to a more normal position. The surgeon will then fill the area with a special material that stabilizes the bone.
When nerves or the spinal cord become pinched — often leading to symptoms like localized pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness traveling into the arms or legs — decompression procedures can help relieve that pressure and restore function. The specific surgical option recommended for you depends entirely on the underlying cause and the precise location of the compression along your spine.
Typically used for a herniated disk causing leg pain, a microdiscectomy relieves the pressure on a spinal nerve root by removing the material causing the pain. This technique may provide near immediate relief of sciatica from a lumbar herniated disk.
During a minimally invasive discectomy, a portion or the entire herniated or degenerative disk is removed from the cervical spine — giving the patient relief. Unlike an open procedure, this approach allows for shorter recovery and surgical times and less recovery pain.
A minimally invasive spinal decompression surgery, microforaminotomy can help relieve nerve compression and alleviate neck or back pain. Unlike an “open” foraminotomy, this “micro” approach involves smaller incisions, less blood loss, reduced pain, and a faster recovery.
This spinal decompression surgery involves completely removing the spinal column’s lamina — a thin plate of bone that covers and protects entry to the spinal cord. This can provide relief for pain in the neck or back that may travel into the arms or legs.
This procedure treats lumbar stenosis and is often performed as an outpatient surgery through a small incision and without a spinal fusion. This helps resolve pain, weakness, and numbness in the legs as well as cramping in the calves.
Chiari malformation is when the brain tissue extends into your spinal canal. It occurs when part of your skull is abnormally small or misshapen, pressing on your brain and forcing it downward. This procedure removes bone at the back of the skull and spine to create space for the tonsils and brainstem.
Modern spine care is significantly enhanced by innovative technology. Specialized tools, imaging systems, and computer-assisted platforms support your surgical team by providing unmatched visualization, enhanced planning, and exceptional precision — ultimately aiming to improve your surgical safety and recovery experience.
Using micro-sized incisions and a small tubular system in combination with an endoscope to see the area, endoscopic spine surgery treats a variety of spine conditions. In most cases, this approach can help preserve a patient’s normal range of spine mobility after surgery.
AHN uses minimally invasive robotic systems that help surgeons perform precise and effective procedures that may result in less pain and faster recovery times.
Minimally invasive spine surgery is designed to be gentler on the body and typically causes fewer complications than traditional open surgery. However, as with any surgical procedure, side effects and risks can still occur.
During the healing process, it is normal to experience common recovery effects such as temporary localized soreness, mild swelling, or discomfort around the incision site. Less common complications can include risks like infection, bleeding, or temporary nerve irritation.
Please keep in mind that potential risks vary depending on the specific procedure being performed and your unique health background. Your care team will review these details thoroughly with you to ensure you feel fully informed and confident moving forward.
Every patient's journey begins with a tailored approach, where your AHN care team collaborates with you to design a treatment plan that aligns with your unique health needs and personal recovery goals. Using innovative tools such as robotic assistance or endoscopic visualization, our surgeons perform procedures with a high degree of precision to minimize impact on the body. Depending on the specific procedure and how you feel afterward, many minimally invasive surgeries allow for a same-day discharge, meaning you can return to the comfort of your home to recover. Rest assured, guidance is provided every step of the way — including managing comfort, engaging in physical therapy, and helping you safely return to daily activities.
When you receive care at AHN Neuroscience, you’re working with board-certified neurologists, neurosurgeons, and pain management physicians who can deliver highly specialized treatments using the latest, most advanced technologies. We recommend that you bring a trusted friend or family member to attend any appointment, but we do not recommend taking young children who cannot be left unattended in the waiting rooms.
We encourage you to sign up for AHN MyChart access where you can complete some new patient paperwork and questionnaires through MyChart web portal or MyChart smartphone app.
Plan to arrive at the check in desk about 30 minutes prior to the start of your appointment. That provides enough time for the necessary intake information. Even if you use the e-Check in through MyChart, we ask that you arrive at a check in desk 15 minutes before the start of your appointment to make sure we have your appropriate information.
We recommend that you bring a trusted friend or family member to attend any appointment, but we do not recommend taking young children who cannot be left unattended in the waiting rooms. There are also certain items and paperwork you’ll want to have with you, so our office staff and healthcare team have your necessary information.
n order to process your information and start your appointment on time, please bring:
Please bring copies of previous medical records, including office visit notes, lab work, hospital stay summaries, and radiology reports from outside health organizations. You’ll also want to have a complete list of medications and supplements, including dosing amounts.
For worker’s compensation or auto claim purposes, please have: date of injury, claim number, billing address, name and phone number of claims adjuster
If you have had imaging studies done at outside of Allegheny Health Network imaging locations, you will need to:
If you will require any personal items or medical equipment — walker, cane, wheelchair, oxygen — that will make your post-procedure care easier, please bring that with you.
After your procedure, AHN’s support continues to guide you every step of the way. Individualized post-surgery care is designed to help you heal safely and comfortably, focusing on several key areas:
Please keep in mind that formal rehabilitation and recovery plans vary depending on the specific procedure performed and each individual patient. Your recovery plan is flexible and will adapt dynamically to your personal progress.
The AHN Neurosurgery Department is dedicated to improving our patients’ lives. This patient-centered approach leads every decision we make. Using advanced treatment options, our renowned neurosurgeons have pioneered novel therapies using cutting-edge techniques and equipment to positively change lives. We operate in a team-based approach to identify the best course of treatment for our patients that considers their overall health.
Prior to coming to AHN, patients often have anxiety or fear regarding their options. Our dedicated team is here listen, learn, and educate about your choices. From diagnosis through treatment and to recovery, we are with you every step of the way to deliver the best health outcomes possible.
You’ll benefit from physicians dedicated to developing new treatments, integrative multidisciplinary clinics, and participation in advanced clinical trials. Our experienced team of board-certified experts include neurosurgery and pain management specialists. They collaborate on diagnosing and treating complex neurosurgical conditions.
Learn more about AHN Neurosurgery Department.
Many of our patients have questions about minimally invasive spine surgery, and AHN is here to help you get the answers you need. These frequently asked questions can be used to start your conversations with your care team.
Deciding whether you are a candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery involves a thorough, comprehensive evaluation of your symptoms, medical history, and diagnostic imaging. Your care team is here to guide you through this process and encourages you to openly discuss any personal concerns or questions you may have about your treatment options.
Surgical outcomes and success rates can vary depending on the specific procedure performed, your underlying condition, and your unique health background. We focus on shared goal-setting to ensure your treatment aligns with what matters most to you, backed by dedicated follow-up support throughout your entire recovery journey.
Intracept™ is a trademark of Relievant Medsystems, Inc., a Boston Scientific company.
ReActiv8® is a registered trademark of Mainstay Medical Limited.
