Endoscopic spine surgery is a very minimally invasive procedure done by a spine specialist, either an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon. In many cases, it can be done in an outpatient setting, meaning you may be able to go home the same day.

Surgeons use a thin tool called an endoscope—about the size of a pencil—to see and treat small areas of the spine. This technique avoids the large cuts used in traditional back surgery, causing less damage to the muscles that support your spine and often reducing the need to remove bone.

Using an ultra-minimally invasive endoscopic technique, the surgeon can precisely locate and treat painful areas in the spine through a very small incision.
 

• Medial Branch Nerve Transection

The surgeon uses an endoscope to locate and cut the medial branch nerve, which carries pain signals from arthritic spinal joints. Once cut, this nerve can no longer send pain signals—and it does not grow back.
 

• Interlaminar Approach

Used to treat herniated discs and spinal stenosis, especially in the lower back at levels L4-L5 or L5-S1.

The surgeon inserts a small camera (endoscope) and tiny tools between the bones of the spine to reach and remove the part of the disc causing pain.
 

• Transforaminal Approach

Also used to treat herniated discs, typically at L3-L4 or L4-L5 in the lower back.  A small incision is made on the side of the back, just above the herniated disc. Using an endoscope, the surgeon gets a clear view of the disc and removes the herniated portion with minimal disruption to nearby tissue.

• The surgery may allow for a faster recovery and return to normal activity
  
  
• There may be fewer postoperative complications and infections and less postoperative pain
  
  
• There is a potential that you may require fewer or no narcotic pain medications
  
  
• The smaller incisions can help prevent damage to major muscles in the back