Minimally invasive spine surgery is a safer and more effective alternative to open spine surgery. Because it requires only a small incision, patients benefit from faster recovery times, less pain and a reduced risk of damage to healthy tissues.
Tampa General Hospital’s Neuroscience Institute is a well-established leader in spine care and minimally invasive spinal surgery. Our experts perform more minimally invasive procedures than any other hospital in the region and facilitate the most complex spinal operations in all of Florida. With the assistance of state-of-the-art spinal navigation systems and robotic technologies, our spine surgeons help patients find meaningful relief from neck and back pain and achieve their best quality of life.
Conditions Treated With Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Minimally invasive spine procedures can be used to treat a wide range of spine conditions, including:
- Degenerative spine and disc diseases
- Spinal arthritis and osteoarthritis
- Herniated and bulging discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Fractures in the vertebrae
- Spinal tumors
- Scoliosis
Types of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeries
TGH excels in a wide range of minimally invasive spine surgeries, including:
- Discectomy – A part of a damaged spinal disc is removed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord.
- Laminectomy – Part of the vertebrae is trimmed or removed to widen the spinal canal and relieve pressure on the spinal cord caused by spinal narrowing.
- Spinal fusion – Two or more vertebrae are connected to stabilize the spine and reduce pain.
- Lateral spine surgery – The spine is accessed through the side of the body to address various disorders from an alternative angle.
- Kyphoplasty – A collapsed vertebra is lifted using a balloon-like device and medical-grade cement is injected to restore height and stability to the spine.
- Percutaneous vertebroplasty – A medical-grade cement is injected into a fractured vertebra to stabilize the bone and prevent it from fracturing further.
What to Expect
Each type of spine surgery comes with its own individual risks, benefits and recovery guidelines. Generally speaking, many patients who undergo minimally invasive spinal surgery remain in the hospital for one to three days after the procedure (although select operations can be performed on an outpatient basis).
While the most notable benefit of minimally invasive spine surgery is its streamlined recovery period and lower risk of complications, it’s still vitally important for patients to follow all post-operative guidelines from their care team to help ensure optimal results.
Become a TGH Patient
Tampa General Hospital is committed to using the most advanced surgical techniques and state-of-the-art technology to help patients find meaningful relief from pain. Our progressive approach to spine care is just one reason why TGH is recognized as a “high performing” hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report for 2023-24.
Don’t live with debilitating neck or back pain when the experts at Tampa General Hospital can help. For more information about the minimally invasive spine surgery options available at TGH’s Neuroscience Institute and to schedule an appointment, call (800) 822-3627.