Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

If you need back surgery and you’re dreading the pain and downtime, you’re not alone. Minimally invasive spine surgery offers a proven, less painful alternative to traditional procedures — with smaller incisions, less tissue disruption, faster recovery, and excellent long-term results.

What Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) is an advanced surgical approach that allows your surgeon to treat spinal problems using much smaller incisions than traditional open surgery. Instead of cutting through large areas of muscle and tissue, MISS uses tiny tubular retractors, high-definition cameras, and precision, robot-guided tools to access the spine with minimal impact on surrounding structures.

By preserving nearby muscles and connective tissue, minimally invasive back surgery reduces post-operative pain, lowers the risk of complications, and speeds up your recovery. At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeons use cutting-edge technologies — including robotic-assisted systems and intraoperative imaging — to deliver consistently excellent results across all types of minimally invasive spine surgery.

Conditions Treated with Minimally Invasive Techniques

Minimally invasive spine surgery is often used to treat a wide range of spinal conditions, particularly those where pain is caused by pressure on nerves or instability in the spine. Your surgeon will review your imaging and symptoms to determine whether MISS is right for you.

Conditions commonly treated with minimally invasive back surgery include:

Herniated discs: When a spinal disc's soft center pushes through its outer layer, it can press on nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
Spinal stenosis: When the spinal canal narrows, it can cause nerve compression, leading to symptoms like pain, tingling, and difficulty walking.
Degenerative disc disease and back pain: As spinal discs lose their cushioning over time, they can become painful or lead to other structural problems.
Spondylolisthesis: When one vertebra slips forward over the one below it, surgical stabilization is sometimes required.
Sciatica (nerve root compression): Pinched nerves in the lower back can cause radiating pain down one or both legs.

Spine fractures: Some fractures can be stabilized using minimally invasive instrumentation.
Spinal Scoliosis and other spinal deformities: In select cases, minimally invasive techniques may be used to help correct abnormal curvature of the spine.
Cervical stenosis and neck pain: Conditions affecting the neck vertebrae of the spine can also be treated with minimally invasive cervical spine surgery.

In some cases, your surgeon may recommend a motion-preserving procedure such as artificial disc replacement or cervical arthroplasty instead of spinal fusion. These procedures are designed to maintain spinal mobility while relieving pressure on affected nerves — and can often be performed using minimally invasive methods.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Minimally invasive spine surgery offers patients several significant advantages over traditional open surgery, particularly in recovery, comfort, and long-term results.

Less pain after surgery: By preserving muscle and soft tissue, most patients experience far less post-operative discomfort and need fewer pain medications.
Faster recovery and shorter hospital stays: Many types of minimally invasive spine surgery are performed as outpatient procedures or require just one night in the hospital with limited downtime.
Lower risk of complications: Less blood loss, shorter anesthesia time, and reduced trauma to surrounding structures help support safer outcomes.
Smaller incisions and less visible scarring: Tiny entry points minimize scarring and reduce the risk of infection.
High precision and excellent results

Robotic-assisted navigation and real-time imaging enable extraordinary precision — and long-term relief.

At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, we provide expert non-surgical spine care and minimally invasive back surgery for a wide range of spinal conditions. Our goal is to get you Back to You® with fewer setbacks, less downtime, and the compassionate care you deserve.

Advanced Technology and Techniques

At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, we combine surgical expertise with state-of-the-art tools to deliver better outcomes with faster recovery for patients undergoing minimally invasive spine surgery.

Robotic-Assisted Spine Surgery: Enhances surgical precision, improves implant placement, and minimizes trauma to surrounding tissue.
Intraoperative Imaging: Provides real-time visualization of anatomy, allowing your surgeon to navigate delicate areas with exceptional accuracy.
Endoscopic Spine Surgery: Uses a tiny camera and specialized instruments through a small incision for targeted procedures with minimal disruption.
Tubular Retractor Systems: Gently separate — rather than cut — muscle and soft tissue to create a narrow surgical path to the spine.
Motion Preservation Techniques: Instead of locking bones together, motion preservation techniques may use an artificial disc or other device that lets the spine bend and twist more normally

Our board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeons use advanced technology and minimally invasive back surgery to reduce post-surgical pain, lower complication rates, and support long-term spinal health for our patients.

What to Expect Before, During, and After Surgery

At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, every step of your minimally invasive spine surgery is made as clear, supportive, and stress-free as possible.

Before Surgery: First, meet with your surgeon to review your imaging results, discuss your back treatment options, and walk through the surgical plan in detail. We’ll answer your questions and help you prepare physically and mentally for t he procedure.
During Surgery: Your operation will be performed using specialty surgical tools and minimally invasive techniques — with small incisions, advanced visualization, and real-time guidance for extraordinary precision and efficiency.
After Surgery: With minimally invasive back surgery, most patients experience a shorter hospital stay and faster return to activity. Our team will provide detailed post-op instructions and guide you through a personalized rehabilitation plan to support your healing and get you back to the life you love.

When to Consider Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive spine surgery isn’t right for every condition, but when it is an option, it can offer faster recovery and fewer complications. MISS is most effective when the damage is highly localized, such as a herniated disc pressing on a nerve or a single vertebra slipping out of place. In these cases, targeted treatment can relieve pressure on specific nerves or restore spinal alignment without affecting the surrounding pine. Some conditions and procedures require a wider surgical field.

Your imaging, symptoms, overall health, and treatment goals all help determine who is a candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery. At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our back specialists evaluate every case individually — always aiming for the least invasive path to long-term relief.

Find a Spine Doctor

Request an Appointment for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

If you need back surgery — or you’re living with untreated chronic pain from a spinal condition — meet with the expert team at Hoag Orthopedic Institute. Our spine care team will review your imaging, discuss your options, and help determine whether minimally invasive spine surgery is the best approach for your recovery.

Schedule your consultation today and take the next step toward lasting relief, faster healing, and the compassionate care you deserve.

Find a spine doctor today by browsing our online
physician directory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your first visit to Hoag Orthopedic Institute is a chance for you and your spine specialist to get a complete picture of your current back health and goals for recovery. You’ll meet with a board-certified, fellowship-trained back doctor who will listen to your concerns, review any prior imaging or test results, and ask detailed questions about your symptoms and lifestyle. A detailed physical exam may follow to assess your range of motion, strength, and nerve function.
Your back specialist may recommend advanced imaging or additional diagnostic tests available onsite. Together, you’ll discuss what’s causing your pain or mobility limitations and review both non-surgical and surgical treatment options. You’ll leave with a clear and personalized plan designed for your specific needs—and a team ready to support you through each step of your care.
You can connect with one of our qualified spine specialists to review your symptoms, discuss any existing test results, and explore your back treatment options. To schedule your appointment, simply call our scheduling team at (949) 890-0464 or complete the secure request form on our website.
We’ll connect you with the right back doctor for your needs and can help arrange imaging or records before your visit. From the start, you’ll have access to advanced diagnostics and the latest treatments—including the latest techniques for minimally invasive procedures—tailored to your condition and goals.
At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our highly qualified physical therapists, back doctors, and spine surgeons work together to treat a broad range of spine conditions. These include addressing herniated discs, relieving spinal stenosis, and managing degenerative disc disease and scoliosis. Conservative treatments often include targeted physical therapy, image-guided injections to relieve nerve pain, or medications to reduce inflammation.
When surgery is your most effective option, our spine specialists perform procedures including spinal decompression to free compressed nerves, spinal fusion to stabilize the spine, and disc replacement to maintain mobility. Many operations are performed using minimally invasive or robotic-assisted techniques, which combine advanced imaging with precise instrument control to protect surrounding tissues and support a smoother recovery. Our back specialists devise a custom spine plan for each patient, designed to relieve pain, restore function, and help them return to active, pain-free living.
Hoag Orthopedic Institute offers expert care from fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic spine surgeons, back doctors, and spine specialists who are leaders in their field. Our team also utilizes advanced techniques such as robotic-assisted spine surgery—providing greater surgical planning, accuracy, steadier instrument control, and less disruption to healthy structures for a smoother recovery.
Exceptional technology and an excellent surgical outcome form just part of your experience with our specialized back care. Your orthopedic spine doctor will focus on your total well-being, creating a personalized treatment plan—surgical or non-surgical—to help you move without pain and regain function. From diagnosis through recovery, we’re committed to getting you back to the lifestyle you love, free from the limitations of back pain or dysfunction.

Press Releases

1 /

View All Press Releases