Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Offered at Rolling Hills Medical in Torrance

As a leader in orthopedic surgery services, Rolling Hills Medical offers advanced techniques including minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) for patients throughout the Torrance, California area. We understand that many first-time surgery patients are wary of invasive treatment options, so our team of integrated spine specialists will help to put your mind at ease both before and after the treatment process. Compared to traditional open surgery, minimally invasive spine surgeries offer several benefits for patients and can be used to treat a variety of painful conditions.

Conditions Treated with Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Spine surgery is used to stabilize vertebral bones or relieve pressure causing chronic back pain. Our spine surgeons provide thorough evaluations to determine if minimally invasive spine surgery is an option for each patient. Depending on the extent of damage and pain, minimally invasive spine surgery can help treat various conditions including:

• Lumbar Pain - lumbar pain is often the result of pressure on the spinal nerve, weakened discs, or various spinal disorders
• Cervical Pain - neck pain is often caused by various conditions applying pressure on the spinal cord or degeneration of the discs
• Spinal Stenosis - narrowing of the spinal column that causes pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves
• Degenerative Disc Disease - degeneration of the spinal discs between vertebra caused by drying out or wear and tear
• Herniated Discs - a crack in the exterior casing of a spinal disc that causes the interior material to leak, resulting in nearby nerve irritation
• Sciatica - pain in the sciatic nerve, running from the lower back down one or both legs
• Scoliosis - abnormal curvature of the spine
• Vertebral Fractures - fractures are serious spinal injuries often caused by a severe impact like a car crash or sports injury
• Spondylolisthesis - a spinal disorder where a vertebra slips forward over the vertebra below it

Types of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Rolling Hills Medical offers several types of minimally invasive spine surgeries to repair damage. Our team of orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine doctors, chiropractors, physical medicine & rehabilitation specialists work with each patient to determine if minimally invasive surgery is a recommended treatment option. Using small incisions and specialized retractors to separate tissue, our surgeons are able to reduce damage to surrounding areas. Common minimally invasive spine surgeries include:

• Lumbar Microdecompression - removal of the small portion of bone or disc material of herniated disc, also known as a microdiscectomy
• Cervical and Lumbar Fusion Surgery - fusing two or more vertebra together using a patient’s own bone graft or metal screws and rods
• Microlaminectomy and Microlaminotomy - Complete removal or partial removal, respectively, of the spinal lamina to relieve spinal cord compression
• Minimally Invasive Disc Replacement - removal of damaged vertebral disc and replacement with an artificial disc
• Spinal Cord Stimulation - a minimally invasive procedure for spinal implants to deliver electric current to the spinal cord

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

As opposed to traditional surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery offers several advantages including minimal tissue damage, less pain, and faster recovery. Open spine surgery generally requires incisions 5-6 inches long and the moving of tissue, muscle, and ligaments to access the spine. Open spine surgeries require 5-7 days in post-surgical hospital stay, while minimally invasive procedures allow patients to return home 2-3 days post-procedure.

Minimally invasive techniques use much smaller incisions, resulting in better cosmetic results, less blood loss, and reduced risk of infection. Instead of cutting through muscle and tissue, retractors are used to separate them and keep them intact to reduce damage. Minimally invasive spine surgeries offer quicker recovery for patients, allowing them to start post-surgical physical therapy soon after the procedure.

Learn More From our Torrance Spine Surgeons

Consult with our specialists at Rolling Hills Medical to determine if minimally invasive spine surgery is right for you. If conservative and non-surgical treatment options have been exhausted, surgery may be the next recommended course of treatment. Your team of integrated orthopedic specialists will develop a comprehensive rehabilitation program to help with full recovery. Call us today at (424) 360-0155 for evaluation and treatment.