Lumbar Fusion Procedure in St. Louis, MO

Lumbar Fusion — Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS)

What the procedure is

MIS lumbar fusion stabilizes painful or unstable segments in the lower back using small incisions and muscle-sparing techniques. Through a narrow working corridor (often with tubular retractors and live X-ray guidance), your surgeon removes the painful disc material, places a spacer (interbody cage) and bone graft, and secures the level with screws and rods as needed. Common minimally invasive approaches include MIS TLIF/PLIF and lateral approaches (LLIF); the goal is to reduce motion at the painful segment so the bones can fuse and symptoms calm.

What it can help with

By limiting painful motion and decompressing crowded nerves when needed, MIS fusion can reduce mechanical low-back pain, ease leg pain/numbness, and improve standing, walking, and sleep. Many patients experience smaller scars, less blood loss, and a smoother recovery than with traditional open surgery.

What it treats

Spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebra) with painful instability
Recurrent disc herniation or disc collapse with segmental instability
Severe degenerative disc disease causing motion-related back pain after exhaustive conservative care
Select cases needing both stabilization and decompression (e.g., stenosis with instability)

Who needs this treatment

You may be a candidate if significant back and/or leg symptoms persist despite conservative care—activity changes, physical therapy, medications, Class IV laser, or targeted injections—or if imaging shows instability that matches your exam findings. During your St. Louis consultation, we review your history, MRI/CT, and goals to confirm whether a minimally invasive fusion—or another option—fits best.

The benefits

Smaller incisions and muscle-sparing access
Typically less blood loss and shorter hospital stay
Direct stabilization at the true pain source; decompression can be combined when appropriate
A stepwise, predictable recovery plan with clear activity milestones
Designed to reduce motion-related pain and improve day-to-day function

How we can help as a practice

At Orthopedic Spine Institute of St. Louis, we start with a conservative-first plan and recommend fusion only when it’s truly warranted. If MIS fusion is right for you, we’ll outline every step—pre-op preparation, the day-of-surgery plan, walking goals, driving/desk-work timelines, lifting and bending precautions, and when to start therapy. We coordinate imaging, verify insurance benefits up front (including Workers’ Compensation when applicable), and schedule timely follow-ups so you always know what comes next.