First performed in the 1980s, minimally invasive spinal surgery (MIS) was introduced to offer patients less disruptive and less painful surgical solutions for many spinal disorders. The field continues to make rapid advances and allows Dr. Kern Singh, Dr. Frank Phillips and Dr. Gregory Lopez are among the Midwest's most experienced spine surgeons to treat an ever-evolving list of spinal disorders including:
| Spinal Stenosis | Spinal Bone Spur |
| Sciatica | Pinched Nerves |
| Spondylolisthesis | Tumors |
| Fractures | Deformity (Scoliosis) |
| Instability | Degenerative Disc Disease |
Minimally invasive spinal surgery is less disruptive than traditional open-back (lumbar) surgery. In addition to incisions that are large as 5 to 6 inches in length, traditional open surgery has the potential for significant blood loss, greater risk of infection and long hospital stays that can last up to a week. Open surgery also increases the potential to damage normal tissue as surgeons have to cut or move healthy muscles and soft tissue out of the way in order to access the spine. In minimally invasive surgical techniques, Dr. Kern Singh, Dr. Frank Phillips and Dr. Gregory Lopez rely on specialized instruments and tubes that allow access to the spine through small incisions only 1-2 inches long. Microscopes allow for magnification and exacting precision during the surgery.
Minimally invasive spinal surgery (MIS) offers patients the following potential advantages:
| Less disruption to muscles | Faster recovery |
| Less blood loss | Decreased risk of infection |
| Small incisions | Small scars |
| Less post-operative pain | Fewer post-operative narcotics |
| Faster return to normal activities | Shorter hospital stay (from less than 24 hours to 2 days) |