If chronic back pain, neck pain, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or other spine conditions limit your life, minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) may provide lasting relief. Board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Seth Grossman uses advanced minimally invasive techniques whenever appropriate to help you recover faster and return to doing what you love.
Recover Faster With Smaller Incisions
Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) is an advanced surgical approach that treats certain spine conditions through small incisions rather than traditional open surgery. Using specialized instruments, high-definition imaging, and precise surgical techniques, the procedure allows your surgeon to access the spine while minimizing disruption to nearby muscles and tissues. MISS may be used to treat herniated discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and other spinal disorders, often resulting in less postoperative discomfort and a faster recovery.
What Does Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (Miss) Treat?
Minimally invasive spine surgery can effectively address a wide range of spinal conditions that cause persistent pain, nerve compression, reduced mobility, or neurological symptoms.
Depending on your diagnosis, this approach may be an option for conditions such as:
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spondylolisthesis
- Sciatica and pinched nerves
- Spinal instability
- Compression fractures
- Spinal deformities, including certain cases of scoliosis
- Facet joint disorders
- Recurrent disc herniations
What Happens During Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS)?
Before your procedure, you will receive anesthesia to ensure comfort. Dr. Grossman makes one or more small incisions near the affected area and uses specialized tubular retractors to separate, rather than cut, surrounding muscles. High-definition imaging and advanced surgical instruments allow him to visualize the spine and precisely access the damaged disc, compressed nerve, or unstable vertebra while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
Once the underlying problem has been addressed, Dr. Grossman carefully removes the instruments and closes the small incisions with sutures or surgical adhesive. Depending on the procedure, you may return home the same day or after a short hospital stay. You will receive recovery instructions to support healing and help you safely return to your normal activities.
Types of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS)
Microdiscectomy
A microdiscectomy removes the portion of a herniated disc pressing on a spinal nerve. Through a small incision, your surgeon relieves nerve compression while preserving healthy tissue. This procedure often helps reduce leg or arm pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness caused by a compressed nerve.
Laminectomy
A laminectomy removes a small portion of bone or thickened tissue that narrows the spinal canal. By creating more space around the spinal cord and nerves, this procedure can relieve symptoms associated with spinal stenosis, including pain, numbness, weakness, and difficulty walking or standing.
Spinal Fusion
Minimally invasive spinal fusion stabilizes vertebrae affected by instability, degeneration, or deformity. Using small incisions and specialized implants, your surgeon can join two or more vertebrae while minimizing disruption to surrounding muscles. The goal is to improve stability, reduce pain, and restore function when conservative treatments are unsuccessful.
Foraminotomy
A foraminotomy enlarges the natural openings where spinal nerves exit the spine. Removing small amounts of bone or soft tissue relieves pressure on the compressed nerves caused by arthritis, bone spurs, or disc problems. This procedure may reduce radiating pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the arms or legs.
Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive procedures used to treat certain spinal compression fractures, often related to osteoporosis. Medical-grade bone cement stabilizes the damaged vertebra, while kyphoplasty may also restore some vertebral height. These procedures can reduce pain, improve mobility, and support spinal stability.
Decompression Procedures
Some spinal conditions require targeted decompression without extensive surgery. Depending on your diagnosis, minimally invasive decompression removes or trims tissue compressing spinal nerves while preserving surrounding structures. These procedures can relieve pain, improve nerve function, and help you return to everyday activities with less disruption.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS):
- Smaller incisions than traditional open surgery
- Less disruption to surrounding muscles and soft tissues
- Reduced postoperative pain for many patients
- Lower risk of excessive blood loss
- Smaller, less noticeable scars
- Shorter hospital stays when appropriate
- Faster recovery and return to daily activities for many patients
- Reduced risk of infection compared to larger surgical incisions
- Improved surgical precision through advanced imaging and specialized instruments
FAQs
Are the Results Permanent?
The goal of MISS is to address the underlying spinal condition causing your symptoms, but long-term success also depends on factors such as your spinal health, lifestyle, and the natural aging process. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, practicing good body mechanics, and following your surgeon’s recommendations can help protect your spine over time.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Dr. Seth Grossman is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon serving patients throughout New Jersey. His background in computer science and computer systems engineering from Rutgers University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, followed by his spine fellowship training at UC San Diego Medical Center, supports a thoughtful, technology-driven approach to treatment. Whenever appropriate, Dr. Grossman prioritizes non-surgical care and only recommends surgery when absolutely necessary. Schedule your consultation today to learn whether MISS is the right option for you.
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