Minimally Invasive Spine Decompression

Minimally invasive decompression uses tubular retractors and specialized instruments to remove bone, ligament, or disc material that is compressing spinal nerves — through a smaller incision and with less disruption to surrounding muscles than traditional open surgery.

This approach is commonly used for lumbar stenosis, disc herniation, or foraminal narrowing when conservative treatment has failed and imaging shows a clear structural cause that matches the patient's symptoms.

I use minimally invasive techniques when they genuinely serve the patient's anatomy and goals — not as a marketing term. The right approach depends on the specific problem. Sometimes a small-incision technique works beautifully. Other times, an open procedure provides better visualization, access, or correction. The question is always what gives this particular patient the best outcome.

• Nerve injury
• Dural tear
• Infection
• Recurrent stenosis or herniation
• Incomplete decompression
• Instability requiring future fusion

Many patients go home the same day or the next morning. Recovery is often faster than open surgery, with return to light activity within one to two weeks and gradual return to full activity over four to six weeks.