When conservative treatments are no longer effective for spine pain, minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) may provide lasting relief. At Interventional Pain Specialists of Wisconsin, SC, in Hudson, Rice Lake, and Altoona, Wisconsin, our interventional spine and pain management team offers innovative procedures, including ultra minimally invasive approaches, to restore function and ease discomfort. Surgical services are provided in partnership with OakLeaf Surgical Hospital in Hudson, WI.
What is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
Minimally invasive spine surgery uses small incisions and specialized instruments may include small endoscopic cameras that allow full visualization of nerves and spinal structures rather than open incisions to address painful spinal conditions. Unlike traditional open surgery, MISS reduces trauma to surrounding tissues, leading to less post-operative pain, shorter recovery, and lower risk of complications.
At Interventional Pain Specialists of Wisconsin, SC, we provide a range of advanced MISS procedures designed to maximize effectiveness while minimizing downtime.
Types of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Our team performs several highly specialized minimally invasive surgeries, including:
Endoscopic Spine Surgery (ESS)
This technique uses tiny incisions and a tubular device to allow endoscopic visualization of the surgical site. One current application is neurectomy of extra-spinal nerves, targeting medial branch nerves that cause painful lumbar facet joint problems. This approach provides longer-lasting relief compared to standard radiofrequency ablation, with minimal tissue disruption.
Minuteman® Procedure
The Minuteman is an ultra-minimally invasive lumbar spinal fusion procedure used for conditions such as spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and low-grade spondylolisthesis. It is often considered for patients who no longer benefit from steroid injections but want to avoid traditional fusion surgery.
The Intracept® Procedure is a minimally invasive treatment designed to relieve chronic low back pain that comes from inside the vertebrae themselves. This type of pain is known as vertebrogenic low back pain and is caused by irritation of a specific nerve inside the spine called the basivertebral nerve.
Spinal Cord Stimulation
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an advanced therapy designed to help people with chronic back and leg pain when surgery, injections, medications, or physical therapy have not provided lasting relief. It is most commonly used for patients who have had prior spine surgery but continue to experience pain—a condition often referred to as failed back surgery syndrome.
Kyphoplasty
Balloon Augmented Vertebroplasty, commonly known as kyphoplasty, is a minimally invasive spine procedure used to treat painful compression fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine. These fractures most often occur due to osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break, even with minor stress or routine activity.
Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression
Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD®) is an advanced, outpatient procedure designed to treat lumbar spinal stenosis, a common condition that affects many older adults. Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal becomes narrowed, putting pressure on the nerves and leading to back pain, leg pain, numbness, and difficulty walking or standing.
Disc FX® Minimally Invasive Disc Decompression
Disc FX® is a minimally invasive spine procedure designed to treat contained lumbar disc herniations and disc protrusions that cause low back pain and pain traveling down the leg (sciatica). These disc problems occur when the disc bulges or presses on nearby nerves without fully rupturing.
Who is a Candidate for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
You may be a candidate for MISS or UMISS if conservative measures — such as physical therapy, injections, or regenerative options — no longer provide relief. Our team carefully evaluates each patient and often considers non-surgical interventions like prolotherapy or orthobiologics before recommending surgery.
For those with conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, compression fractures, or spondylolisthesis, minimally invasive spine surgery may offer meaningful and lasting improvement.
Why Choose Us for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
At Interventional Pain Specialists of Wisconsin, SC, we don’t believe surgery should mean long recoveries or unnecessary pain. Our board-certified physicians and skilled support team offer the most advanced minimally invasive options available, from endoscopic spine surgery to the Intracept Procedure.
By combining specialized training, innovative technology, and careful patient selection, we help more people achieve meaningful relief while preserving mobility and independence.
MISS Consultations in Rice Lake & Hudson
If you are considering minimally invasive spine surgery, schedule your consultation with Interventional Pain Specialists of Wisconsin, SC. We have three conveniently-located offices in Hudson, Rice Lake, and Altoona, WI. Call (715) 234-7246 (PAIN) to explore advanced options for lasting relief.