Medically reviewed by Dr. Scheid
Minimally invasive spine surgery uses advanced techniques and smaller incisions to address spinal conditions while reducing tissue damage, blood loss, and recovery time compared to traditional open surgery. These procedures allow surgeons to access the spine through incisions typically less than an inch long, using specialized instruments and imaging technology to perform precise corrections with minimal disruption to surrounding muscles and soft tissues.
NeuroSpine Plus brings this advanced surgical approach to patients throughout Jersey City and the surrounding New Jersey communities. Our minimally invasive spine surgery program focuses on achieving the best possible outcomes while prioritizing patient safety, faster healing, and earlier return to daily activities.
How Minimally Invasive Techniques Work
Minimally invasive spine surgery relies on tubular retractors and real-time fluoroscopic imaging that allow surgeons to reach the spine through a working channel less than 2 centimeters wide, without cutting through muscle. Rather than making large incisions that require muscle cutting and retraction, these techniques use tubular retractors that create a direct path to the affected area. Surgeons insert these small tubes through natural openings between muscles, gently separating tissue rather than cutting through it.
The procedures incorporate fluoroscopy, which provides real-time X-ray imaging throughout surgery. This continuous visualization ensures instruments reach the exact treatment location with precision. Some procedures also use endoscopes, which are thin tubes equipped with cameras and lights, allowing surgeons to see the surgical site on a monitor and work through even smaller access points. At our Jersey City office, Dr. Scheid uses these advanced imaging tools to plan and execute each procedure with accuracy tailored to the patient’s specific anatomy.
This approach applies to both anterior procedures, which access the spine from the front of the body, and posterior procedures, which approach from the back. The specific technique depends on the location and nature of the spinal condition being addressed.
Conditions Treated Through Minimally Invasive Surgery
Minimally invasive techniques effectively address a wide range of spinal conditions affecting patients in Jersey City. Herniated discs, where the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer and compresses nearby nerves, respond well to these surgical approaches. The procedures can remove the portion of the disc causing compression while preserving as much healthy disc material as possible.
Degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis also benefit from minimally invasive treatment. These conditions involve wear and tear on the spine that creates pain, numbness, or weakness in the back and extremities. Compression fractures from osteoporosis can be stabilized through procedures that require only tiny skin punctures. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, minimally invasive approaches can be faster, safer, and require less recovery time than traditional open procedures.
Dr. Edward Scheid and his team at NeuroSpine Plus have successfully performed over 8,000 spine surgeries, with extensive experience treating conditions throughout the entire spine. From the base of the skull down to the sacrum, we address both straightforward and complex spinal issues through minimally invasive approaches whenever appropriate for the patient’s specific situation.
Benefits That Matter to Patients
Patients who choose minimally invasive spine surgery typically experience 50% to 75% less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and return to daily activities 2 to 4 weeks sooner than those who undergo traditional open procedures. Smaller incisions mean less blood loss during surgery, reducing the need for transfusions and lowering overall surgical risk. Because surrounding muscles remain largely undisturbed, patients typically experience significantly less postoperative pain compared to traditional open procedures.
Recovery timelines shorten considerably with these techniques. Many patients leave the hospital within 24 hours of surgery, and some procedures allow same-day discharge. The reduced trauma to tissues means patients often return to work and normal activities weeks earlier than they would after open surgery. Physical therapy requirements may also decrease since muscles have not been cut during the procedure.
Cosmetically, the small incisions heal with minimal scarring. More importantly, the risk of infection drops when incision size decreases, and patients generally require less pain medication during recovery. These factors combine to create a surgical experience focused on precision, safety, and getting patients back to the lives they want to live.
Common Minimally Invasive Procedures
Several procedures performed at our Jersey City location reflect the minimally invasive approach at NeuroSpine Plus. Microdiscectomy addresses herniated discs by removing the problematic portion through a small incision, typically relieving leg or arm pain caused by nerve compression. Laminectomy, another frequently performed procedure, removes a small portion of bone to create more space for compressed nerves.
Spinal fusion procedures can be performed minimally invasively to stabilize painful or unstable segments of the spine. These surgeries join two or more vertebrae together, eliminating motion at the problem segment while maintaining the spine’s overall function. Artificial disc replacement offers another option for certain patients, replacing a damaged disc with a prosthetic device through minimally invasive techniques.
Kyphoplasty treats compression fractures by inserting a balloon into the collapsed vertebra, inflating it to restore height, then filling the space with bone cement. This procedure often provides immediate pain relief for patients with osteoporotic fractures. Revision surgery, which corrects problems from previous spinal procedures, represents another area where minimally invasive techniques offer substantial advantages.
What to Expect During Treatment
The process typically begins with a thorough evaluation to determine whether minimally invasive surgery is appropriate for your specific condition. Dr. Scheid and his team review your medical history, perform a physical examination, and analyze imaging studies to understand exactly what is causing your symptoms. Not every spinal condition requires surgery, and conservative treatment options may be explored first.
If surgery is recommended, you will receive detailed information about the specific procedure, what it involves, and what recovery will look like. Most minimally invasive procedures use general anesthesia, though some can be performed with regional anesthesia depending on the location and nature of the surgery.
After surgery at our Jersey City office, patients move to a recovery area where medical staff monitor vital signs as anesthesia wears off. Pain management begins immediately, and most patients find discomfort is manageable with prescribed medications. Instructions for home care, activity restrictions, and follow-up appointments are provided before discharge. Physical therapy may be recommended to help restore strength and flexibility, though the timeline and intensity are often less demanding than after traditional open surgery.
Get Advanced Spine Care at NeuroSpine Plus in Jersey City
NeuroSpine Plus combines over 20 years of surgical experience with the latest minimally invasive techniques to provide comprehensive spine care to patients throughout Jersey City and New Jersey. With convenient locations across the state, including the Jersey City office at 550 Newark Avenue, access to advanced spinal treatment is closer than you might think. Our team understands that spinal conditions affect every aspect of daily life, and we’re committed to helping you find lasting relief through personalized treatment plans.
Whether you’re dealing with chronic back pain, nerve compression, or a degenerative spinal condition, minimally invasive surgery may offer the solution you’ve been searching for. The combination of proven surgical expertise, advanced technology, and a patient-centered approach creates an environment where healing happens efficiently and effectively. To learn more about minimally invasive spine surgery options or to schedule a consultation, contact us online today.
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.