Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery on Long Island

If spine surgery is on the table, it’s worth knowing that many procedures can now be done through small incisions rather than a large open operation. At Empire Minimally Invasive Spine and Pain, our fellowship-trained spine surgeon treats Long Island patients using muscle-sparing, minimally invasive techniques designed to relieve nerve pain with less disruption — and only after non-surgical care has had a fair chance.

What is minimally invasive spine surgery?

Minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) reaches the same goals as traditional open surgery — relieving pressure on a compressed nerve or stabilizing the spine — through much smaller openings. Rather than a long incision that detaches muscle from the spine, the surgeon works through a small portal using tubular retractors and a microscope or endoscope. For the right patient, that often means less tissue damage, less blood loss, and a faster return to normal activity. Careful patient selection is what makes the difference.

Conditions we treat with minimally invasive techniques

• Herniated disc pressing on a nerve and causing sciatica
• Spinal stenosis and the leg heaviness of neurogenic claudication
• Sciatica from nerve-root compression
• Degenerative disc disease and certain cases of spinal instability

Minimally invasive procedures we offer

Depending on the diagnosis, options for Long Island patients may include:

• Endoscopic discectomy to remove a disc fragment through a tiny channel — see our guide comparing endoscopic discectomy vs. microdiscectomy
• Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD) for narrowing of the canal
• Interspinous spacer placement to open space for compressed nerves
• Minimally invasive decompression and, when needed, stabilization

If your surgeon recommends a discectomy, our week-by-week microdiscectomy recovery guide shows what healing typically looks like.

Why Long Island patients choose Empire

With offices in Plainview and Ronkonkoma, Empire gives Long Island patients access to advanced spine care close to home — convenient for patients across Nassau and Suffolk, including Hicksville, Levittown, Farmingdale, Woodbury, Syosset, and Bethpage. Our team pairs interventional pain management with surgical expertise, so you get an honest answer about whether a procedure is warranted and, if so, the least disruptive one that solves the problem. Same-week evaluations are usually available, and we’ll verify your insurance before your visit.

Frequently asked questions

Is minimally invasive spine surgery safer than open surgery?

For appropriate candidates, minimally invasive techniques can mean less muscle disruption, less blood loss, and a faster recovery than traditional open surgery. “Safer” depends on the specific case; the right approach is chosen based on your diagnosis, anatomy, and overall health.

Do I have to try non-surgical treatment first?

Usually, yes. Surgery is generally considered only after a fair trial of non-surgical care — therapy, activity changes, and injections — unless there are warning signs such as progressive weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control, which need urgent evaluation.

How soon can I be seen on Long Island?

Same-week evaluations are usually available at our Plainview and Ronkonkoma offices. Call 516-229-1443 to schedule with our spine team.

Which areas do you serve on Long Island?

We care for patients across Nassau and Suffolk counties, including Plainview, Ronkonkoma, Hicksville, Levittown, Farmingdale, Woodbury, Syosset, and Bethpage.

What conditions can be treated with minimally invasive spine surgery?

Common ones include a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, and sciatica from nerve-root compression. Whether a minimally invasive approach fits depends on the specifics of your case, decided with your surgeon.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Questions Patients Ask Us

Is minimally invasive spine surgery safe?

For appropriate patients, yes — and often safer than traditional open surgery. Smaller incisions mean less muscle damage, less blood loss, lower infection risk, and a faster recovery. Like any surgery it carries some risk, and it isn’t right for every spine problem, so a fellowship-trained spine surgeon reviews your imaging to confirm you’re a good candidate.

What is the downside of minimally invasive spine surgery?

The main trade-offs: not every spine condition can be treated this way, it requires a surgeon specifically trained in these techniques, and in complex cases an open approach may still be safer. It also relies on precise imaging guidance. When you’re a good candidate, though, the smaller-incision approach usually means less pain and a quicker recovery.

How much does minimally invasive spine surgery cost?

Cost depends on the specific procedure, your insurance, the facility, and whether it’s done outpatient. Most minimally invasive spine procedures are covered by insurance when medically necessary. Our team verifies your coverage up front and explains any out-of-pocket cost before anything is scheduled, so there are no surprises.

What is the success rate of spinal fusion?

Fusion success varies by condition and level, but for the right patient it reliably relieves nerve pain and stabilizes the spine, with most patients reporting meaningful improvement. Success is higher when it’s the right operation for the right problem — which is why we explore minimally invasive, motion-preserving options first when they fit.

Do people regret spinal fusion?

Some do — usually when fusion was done for back pain with no clear structural cause, or when a less invasive option might have worked. That’s why we don’t treat fusion as a default. We confirm the actual source of the pain first and recommend the least invasive procedure that will genuinely fix the problem.

Wondering if you’re a candidate? Call Empire Minimally Invasive Spine and Pain on Long Island to speak with our spine team — 516-229-1443.