This minimally invasive treatment is performed by our expert surgeons and involves two small incisions made along the patient’s side. The rest of the MIS- LLIF procedure generally follows these steps:

• A probe is carefully inserted into the first incision while the second incision is used to help guide the specially designed surgical tools. The probe is used to stimulate and detect nerves along the side of the spine, allowing the surgeon to completely avoid them. This leaves nerves undamaged as the surgeon locates the damaged disc.
• Dilation tubes are guided between muscle fibers, preserving tissue rather than cutting it, and a retractor device is used to gently push muscle tissue to the side and give our surgeon clear access to the spine.
• The damaged disc is removed and an implant filled with bone graft material is inserted into the empty disc space. The bone graft will eventually grow through and around the implant, forming a bone bridge and fusing to the vertebrae.
• The desired result is a successful spinal fusion, with realigned vertebral bones and removal of the damaged or diseased disc. This relieves pain and alleviates pressure on the nerve roots.

The state-of-the-art MIS-LLIF procedure typically results in less blood loss, less muscle and tissue damage, less scarring and minimal post-operative pain. Because this is considered a minimally invasive procedure, patients experience significantly quicker recovery periods and generally return to their daily lives, work and activities much sooner.