Medically reviewed by Dr. Scheid
Persistent back or neck pain can prevent you from working, sleeping, and enjoying everyday activities. When conservative treatments fail to provide lasting relief, minimally invasive spine surgery offers a proven alternative to traditional open procedures. At NeuroSpine Plus, we perform advanced minimally invasive spine surgery at our Edison, NJ office, helping patients return to normal function through smaller incisions, less tissue disruption, and faster recovery times.
Dr. Edward Scheid has performed over 8,000 successful spine surgeries during more than 20 years of neurosurgical practice. Our Edison location provides patients across Central New Jersey with access to the same advanced surgical techniques and imaging technology used at major medical centers. Whether you are dealing with a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or degenerative spine disease, our team evaluates your condition thoroughly and recommends the least invasive approach to achieve meaningful, lasting relief.
How Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Works
Minimally invasive spine surgery uses incisions typically measuring 1 to 2 centimeters, compared to the 15 to 20 centimeter incisions required for traditional open procedures. Surgeons insert tubular retractors through these small openings to create a working channel to the spine. This approach displaces muscle fibers rather than cutting through them, preserving muscle integrity and reducing post-operative pain.
Real-time fluoroscopic imaging and high-definition surgical microscopes guide every step of the procedure. These technologies allow precise navigation to the affected spinal segment while protecting surrounding nerves, blood vessels, and healthy tissue. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, surgical intervention for spine conditions has advanced significantly with the development of less invasive techniques that reduce tissue damage and accelerate healing.
Both anterior (front) and posterior (back) surgical approaches can be performed using minimally invasive techniques at our Edison office. The choice of approach depends on the specific condition, its location along the spine, and the type of correction needed. Dr. Scheid determines the optimal surgical plan based on diagnostic imaging, physical examination findings, and each patient’s individual anatomy.
Conditions Treated Through Minimally Invasive Surgery in Edison
Our practice treats a wide range of spine conditions using minimally invasive approaches at our Edison location. Herniated discs, one of the most common causes of radiating back and leg pain, respond well to minimally invasive discectomy. This procedure removes the damaged portion of disc material compressing the spinal nerve, often providing immediate relief from sciatica and extremity symptoms.
Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses the spinal cord and nerves, is effectively treated with minimally invasive laminectomy and decompression procedures. Degenerative disc disease, which develops when spinal discs lose their cushioning ability over time, can be addressed through minimally invasive fusion or artificial disc replacement. Compression fractures from osteoporosis or trauma respond to kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty, which stabilize fractured vertebrae through small needle punctures. Spondylolisthesis, radiculopathy, and myelopathy are additional conditions that benefit from minimally invasive surgical intervention.
Common Minimally Invasive Procedures at Our Edison Office
Our Edison practice performs several minimally invasive spine procedures, each designed to address specific spinal pathology with the least amount of tissue disruption. The table below outlines the most commonly performed procedures and their typical applications.
| Procedure | Conditions Addressed | Typical Recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Microdiscectomy | Herniated disc, sciatica, radiculopathy | 1–2 weeks to light activity |
| Laminectomy | Spinal stenosis, nerve compression | 2–4 weeks to light activity |
| Spinal Fusion | Spondylolisthesis, degenerative instability | 4–6 weeks to light activity |
| Disc Replacement | Degenerative disc disease, chronic disc pain | 3–6 weeks to light activity |
| Revision Surgery | Failed back surgery syndrome, hardware failure | Varies by complexity |
Dr. Scheid’s extensive surgical volume, over 8,000 procedures, means our Edison patients receive care informed by one of the most comprehensive track records in New Jersey spine surgery. Each procedure is tailored to the individual patient’s anatomy, diagnosis, and recovery goals.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Versus Traditional Spine Surgery
Patients who undergo minimally invasive spine surgery experience significantly less post-operative pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster return to daily activities compared to those who have traditional open procedures. Smaller incisions cause less damage to muscles and soft tissues, which means the body heals more quickly and pain resolves sooner. Many patients require fewer pain medications during recovery, reducing the risk of medication-related side effects.
Hospital stays are notably shorter. While traditional open spine surgery often requires 3 to 5 days of inpatient recovery, most minimally invasive procedures allow patients to return home the same day or after a single overnight stay. Return to desk work typically takes 1 to 2 weeks, and physically demanding occupations usually require 4 to 6 weeks before full-duty clearance. Infection rates are lower, blood loss is reduced, and scarring is minimal compared to open approaches.
Why Choose NeuroSpine Plus for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Edison
Surgical outcomes depend directly on a surgeon’s experience and case volume. Dr. Scheid has completed over 8,000 spine surgeries across more than 20 years of practice, with a focused commitment to minimally invasive techniques. This volume of surgical experience translates to refined technique, fewer complications, and consistently strong patient outcomes. Our Edison office is equipped with advanced intraoperative imaging systems and instrumentation designed specifically for minimally invasive approaches.
NeuroSpine Plus operates 6 convenient locations across New Jersey, and our Edison office provides accessible care for patients throughout Middlesex County and the surrounding Central New Jersey region. We offer telemedicine consultations for patients who prefer virtual appointments or face transportation challenges. Our team of physician assistants and medical professionals supports every phase of your care, from your initial evaluation through post-operative recovery and follow-up.
Schedule Your Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Consultation in Edison
Chronic spine pain does not have to control your daily life. Minimally invasive spine surgery at NeuroSpine Plus in Edison offers an effective path to relief with faster recovery, less pain, and fewer complications than traditional open procedures. Dr. Scheid and our team are ready to evaluate your condition, review your imaging, and determine whether a minimally invasive approach is the right option for you.
Our Edison office at 2 Lincoln Highway, Suite 507, serves patients throughout Middlesex County and Central New Jersey who are seeking advanced neurosurgical care backed by over 8,000 successful procedures. Contact NeuroSpine Plus to schedule your consultation and take the next step toward lasting spine pain relief.
FAQs About Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Edison, NJ
Most minimally invasive spine procedures take 1 to 3 hours depending on the complexity of the condition. Simpler procedures like microdiscectomy may take closer to 1 hour, while fusion procedures typically require 2 to 3 hours.
Many minimally invasive procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can return home the same day. More complex procedures like spinal fusion may require a single overnight stay for observation.
Patients with desk jobs typically return to work within 1 to 2 weeks. Those with physically demanding occupations usually need 4 to 6 weeks before returning to full duties. Dr. Scheid provides specific return-to-work guidance based on your procedure and recovery progress.
Minimally invasive spine surgery uses incisions of 1 to 2 centimeters compared to the 15 to 20 centimeter incisions in traditional open surgery. This results in less muscle damage, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery while achieving the same surgical goals.
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Scheid & The Team at NeuroSpine Plus
Last updated: May 6, 2026The team at NeuroSpine Plus is led by Dr. Edward Scheid, a board-certified neurosurgeon with over 20 years of experience and 8,000+ successful surgeries. Along with his dedicated team of physician assistants and medical professionals, NeuroSpine Plus specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery and comprehensive spine care across six convenient locations in New Jersey. Our clinical expertise in treating complex spine conditions ensures all content is medically accurate and based on proven treatment approaches we use daily in our practice.