What is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery? 

Traditionally, spine surgery required a long 6-8 inch incision and a large amount of muscle dissection which led to prolonged recovery and resulted in significant scarring. However, at The Spine Center, Board Certified Neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Theofilos is an expert in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery uses small incisions (about 1-2 inches) to access damaged spinal discs or vertebrae without the need for large amounts of muscle dissection or trauma to the structures surrounding the spine. Once the incisions are made, real-time X-ray (known as fluoroscopy) and small surgical instruments are used to repair damaged spinal discs or vertebrae as well as decompress spinal nerves.

This means that not only are the incisions far smaller, but the procedures are much shorter and much less invasive. In fact, these procedures are often performed on an outpatient basis and many patients are able to return home the same day as their procedure. Dr. Charles Theofilos has helped thousands of patients return to an active and healthy lifestyle after a Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery.

Many people will use various terms to describe Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and all of them refer to a similar approach and process for spine surgery. Commonly used terms include:

Laser Spine Surgery Essentially, the term “Laser Spine” refers to a minimally invasive spine surgical procedure but this term has become very common over time. There is often a misconception that an actual “laser” is used in these procedures, which there is not. Laser spine surgery is a form of surgery that uses small incisions and minimally- invasive techniques.

Endoscopic Spine Surgery This type of spine surgery performed using a thin, telescope-like instrument called an endoscope. The endoscope is connected to a tiny video camera and is inserted through small incisions to give surgeons an inside view of the patient’s body. In addition, small surgical instruments can be inserted through the small incisions to perform the surgery.

Minimally Invasive Discectomy

(Microdiscectomy)

What is Minimally Invasive Discectomy (Microdiscectomy)? 

A Minimally Invasive Discectomy (Microdiscectomy) is a surgical procedure that uses a very small incision (usually less than one inch), a microscope, and small surgical tools to remove portions of the intervertebral disc(s) that are compressing the spinal nerves in the lower back.

A Microdiscectomy is most often used to treat the symptoms of a herniated disc that does not respond to nonsurgical treatment options. A microdiscectomy is especially effective in treating sciatica—a burning pain that runs from the hip to the back of the thigh and legs and sciatica relief usually occurs very quickly after surgery

At The Spine Center, Board Certified Neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Theofilos is an expert in Microdiscectomy surgery and has helped thousands of patients return to an active and healthy lifestyle after this procedure.

How Microdiscectomy Surgery is Performed 

At The Spine Center, a Microdiscectomy is usually performed as an outpatient procedure so that you can return home the same day as your procedure.

Steps used to perform the procedure include:

1. Incision. A small one-inch incision is made along the lower back.
2. Exposure. Muscles are gently retracted so the compressed nerve can be viewed.
3. Discectomy. Tiny instruments and microscopic guidance are used to remove pieces of the disc and arthritic bone.
4. Closure. Stitches and adhesive strips close the incision.

Using our advanced minimally invasive techniques, there is very little surgical trauma and you are able to recover and return to normal activities shortly after surgery.

What is a Minimally Invasive Laminectomy?

A Minimally Invasive Laminectomy (also known as a Spinal Decompression) is a procedure used to relieve the pain from a pinched nerve in the spine.  This is done by removing part of the spinal vertebrae, known as the lamina so that the spinal nerve can be decompressed and pain can be relieved.

Although laminectomies were historically performed with an open incision, at The Spine Center our advanced technology and training allow most laminectomies to be performed in a minimally invasive fashion. This means a much smaller incision is used, less surgical trauma occurs and recovery time is shortened.

This procedure is often used to treat conditions including:

• Sciatica
• Spinal Stenosis
• Bone spurs

At The Spine Center, Board Certified Neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Theofilos is an expert in Minimally Invasive Laminectomy procedures and has helped thousands of patients return to an active and healthy lifestyle following this procedure.

How is a Minimally Invasive Laminectomy Performed at The Spine Center?

At The Spine Center, a Minimally Invasive Laminectomy is typically performed as an outpatient procedure so that you can return home the same day as your procedure.

During a Minimally Invasive Laminectomy:

1. A small incision is made over the affected vertebrae
2. Small instruments are used to remove the lamina
3. Portions of the damaged intervertebral disc and/or arthritic bone are removed
4. Sutures and adhesive strips are used to close the incision

Using our advanced minimally invasive techniques, there is very little surgical trauma and you are able to recover and return to normal activities shortly after surgery.

What is a Minimally Invasive Cervical Fusion (ACDF)?

A Minimally Invasive Cervical Fusion is also commonly referred to as an ACDF and is used to treat chronic pain, nerve compression, and/or instability that originates in the cervical spine. This procedure is typically recommended when cervical spine conditions do not respond to conservative treatment options.

Although ACDF’s were historically performed with an open incision, at The Spine Center our advanced technology and training allow most ACDF’s to be performed in a minimally invasive fashion. This means a much smaller incision is used, less surgical trauma occurs and recovery time is shortened.

Board Certified Neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Theofilos is an expert in Minimally Invasive Cervical Spinal Fusion procedures and has helped thousands of patients return to an active and healthy lifestyle following this procedure.

How is a Minimally Invasive Cervical Fusion (ACDF) Performed at The Spine Center?

At The Spine Center, an ACDF may be performed as either an inpatient or outpatient procedure based on Dr. Theofilos’ recommendation. If the procedure is performed on an inpatient basis, the hospital stay is usually only 1-2 days.

During an ACDF procedure:

1. Incision. A small 1-2 inch incision is made in the front or back of the neck (depending upon your specific condition).
2. Exposure. Muscles are gently retracted so the cervical spine can be viewed.
3. Discectomy. Tiny instruments are used to carefully remove the damaged disc.
4. Implant insertion. A bone graft-packed spacer is inserted between adjacent vertebrae.
5. Fusion. Small rods and/or plates and screws are used to fixate adjacent vertebrae.

Using our advanced minimally invasive techniques, there is very little surgical trauma and you are able to recover and return to normal activities shortly after surgery.

(ALIF, PLIF, TLIF, XLIF)

What is Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion? 

Open incision spinal fusion procedures have been performed for many years, however recent advancements in spine surgery at The Spine Center have allowed our Board Certified Neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Theofilos to perform spinal fusion procedures in a minimally invasive manner. With this technique, a smaller incision is used, less surgical trauma is caused and recovery is much quicker.

Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion procedures are used to treat a damaged intervertebral disc and/or a compressed nerve root that causes back and neck pain that may radiate into the extremities.

At The Spine Center, Dr. Charles Theofilos has helped thousands of patients return to an active and healthy lifestyle after a Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion.

How Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion is Performed At The Spine Center?

At The Spine Center, a Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion can be performed either as an outpatient or an inpatient procedure based on what you and Dr. Theofilos feel is best for you.

During a Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion procedure:

1. The disc is removed. The damaged or herniated intervertebral disc is removed.
2. The disc is replaced. A bone graft-filled implant is carefully placed between adjacent vertebrae.
3. The implant is fixated. Rods or plates and screws fixate adjacent vertebrae so they may fuse to form a single solid bone.

Depending upon your unique condition there are several types of Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion approaches:

• Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF)
• Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF)
• Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)
• Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (XLIF)