Outpatient spine surgery: a minimally invasive approach to chronic neck and back pain

Same-day spine surgery, also called endoscopic spine surgery, is a common, minimally invasive procedure used to treat spinal conditions that significantly affect a person's quality of life. The National Library of Medicine estimates that 80% of Americans experience low back pain in their lifetime, and back pain is the second most common reason for hospitalization.

Although back pain is often temporary, chronic neck or low back pain -- pain lasting longer than 12 weeks -- may mean there is a need for medical intervention. When symptoms fail to improve with conservative treatment, surgery may be a potential option.

Namath Hussain, MD, spine surgeon at Loma Linda University Health, says that the most common reasons for surgical intervention fall into two broad categories: problems involving the neck (cervical spine) and those involving the lower back (lumbar spine), especially when pain is accompanied by neurological symptoms.

"Neurological signs can include numbness, tingling, or pain radiating into the arms or legs, as well as weakness in the hands or legs," Hussain says.

"Some patients notice difficulty with fine motor skills, a weakened grip, tremors, trouble walking long distances, balance issues, or progressive weaknesses that interfere with everyday activities."

Additional reasons for surgery may include prior back surgery that failed to relieve symptoms, osteoporosis-related fractures of the spine, nerve damage related to conditions like diabetes or prior chemotherapy, spinal tumors, or cancer that has spread to the spine.

Ultimately, spine surgery may be recommended when pain, weakness, numbness, or fatigue limit a person's ability to function or enjoy normal activities.

When spine surgery becomes necessary

Compared to other types of neurological procedures, Hussain says spine surgery is relatively common due to the natural degeneration of the spine as people age.

"The body undergoes gradual age-related degeneration, and as people get older, arthritis and wear-and-tear changes develop in the spine much like they do in other joints," he says.

Some people may reach their mid-60s or even 70s without needing medical intervention, but as the population continues to age, spine issues are becoming increasingly common.

Furthermore, advances in medicine have reduced deaths from conditions like heart disease, cancer, and hypertension, allowing people to live longer. But that longevity also increases the likelihood of developing spinal conditions.

As life expectancy continues to rise, degenerative spine conditions are becoming more prevalent, making spine surgery an important part of modern healthcare.

Read: Upcoming spine surgery? Here's how to prepare for optimal results

Minimally invasive spine surgery

Although spine surgery is often perceived as highly invasive, modern advances have dramatically changed what the procedure looks like.

Traditional spine surgery typically involved large incisions down the middle of the back, extensive muscle dissection, and the placement of hardware such as screws and rods. Such invasive surgery often led to significant muscle damage, longer hospital stays, and prolonged recovery times.

Minimally invasive spine surgery takes a very different approach.

"Instead of cutting through muscle, surgeons use small incisions, about an inch or less, to gently dilate the muscle and access the spine," Hussain explains. "Specialized instruments allow the procedure to be performed through a narrow tube, removing bone, tissue, or ligament without detaching muscles from the bone."

Because there is far less tissue disruption, surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to return home the same day. Pain control is typically often managed with short-term medications, and patients are encouraged to move, walk, and resume normal daily activities soon after surgery.

Advances in anesthesia have also improved safety and recovery, making it a safer option for older adults who were previously considered poor candidates.

Read: 3 ways to naturally ease chronic back pain

The ideal time to have surgery

Hussain warns that degenerative spine conditions worsen gradually over time, which is why early evaluation and treatment is encouraged. When symptoms are addressed before the condition becomes severe, surgical options are typically less invasive and more targeted.

"Younger patients who seek care in their earlier stages of degeneration, for example, someone in their 50s, generally heal faster, have stronger bone recovery, and have a higher likelihood of returning to normal function compared to surgery performed later in life," Hussain says.

Waiting too long for medical intervention can mean that a condition that might have been treated with a minimally invasive approach now requires a more involved procedure.

If chronic neck or back pain is interfering with your daily life, early intervention is critical. Minimally invasive spine surgery can restore quality of life with less pain, minimal blood loss, faster recovery times, and often without the need for general anesthesia. To learn more about how to get a referral to our neurosurgeons, call .