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Amandeep Bhalla, MD
Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery in Long Beach, CA: Dr. Bhalla, orthopedic spine surgeon in Long Beach

Care services · Long Beach, CA

Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery in Long Beach, CA

Minimally invasive spinal surgery treats the same problems as traditional open surgery through incisions often under an inch long. Specialized retractors, a microscope or endoscope and real time imaging let Dr. Bhalla reach the spine between the muscles instead of cutting through them.

Minimally invasive spine surgery in Long Beach, with patients welcome from across South Bay, Orange County and the greater Los Angeles area.

Book a consultation(562) 427-8119

Overview

What is minimally invasive spinal surgery?

In a traditional open operation the muscles along the spine are stripped away from the bone to create a view. Minimally invasive techniques instead pass tubular retractors or an endoscope through a small incision and gently spread the muscle fibers apart, preserving their attachments.

Through that narrow corridor Dr. Bhalla can remove a herniated disc, decompress a pinched nerve, treat stenosis or place screws and cages for a fusion. Navigation and robotic guidance confirm every step against your own imaging.

Book a consultation(562) 427-8119
Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery: patient care
Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery: recovery

Is it right for you

Who is a candidate?

Most conditions that need spine surgery can be treated minimally invasively. The deciding factors are the exact anatomy of your problem, your imaging and your goals, which Dr. Bhalla reviews with you before recommending any procedure.

Conditions treated

  • Herniated discs in the neck or lower back
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Spondylolisthesis and instability
  • Sciatica that has not improved with therapy

Common symptoms

  • Persistent back or neck pain
  • Pain radiating to an arm or leg
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Weakness or difficulty walking

Near you

Minimally invasive spine surgery in Long Beach, CA

Dr. Bhalla performs minimally invasive spine surgery for people in Long Beach and the surrounding cities, and leads the Spine Center at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center.

If you live in Signal Hill, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Orange County or anywhere nearby, a consultation is a short drive away. Many procedures are done as outpatient surgery, so you can recover at home.

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Patients come to us from

  • Long Beach
  • Signal Hill
  • Lakewood
  • Seal Beach
  • Los Alamitos
  • Cypress
  • Bellflower
  • Torrance
  • Huntington Beach
  • Carson

Not on the list? We see patients from across Southern California.

Benefits

What are the benefits?

Less disruption to healthy tissue is the whole idea, and it shows up at every stage of recovery.

  • Smaller incisions

    Often under an inch, with less scarring and less blood loss.

  • Muscle preserved

    Muscles are spread rather than cut, so they keep their strength and attachments.

  • Less pain after surgery

    Smaller wounds and intact muscle mean lower pain medication needs.

  • Faster return

    Most patients walk the same day and many go home within 24 hours.

Recovery

How long is the recovery?

Recovery depends on the procedure performed through the small incision. A decompression heals faster than a fusion, but both are quicker than their open equivalents.

  1. 01/Same day

    Up and walking

    You are encouraged to walk within hours. Many procedures are done as an outpatient.

  2. 02/First two weeks

    Light activity

    Desk work and gentle walking resume. Incisions are checked at your first follow up.

  3. 03/Six to twelve weeks

    Back to full life

    Structured rehabilitation builds strength. Fusion patients continue to heal bone over several months.

Safety

Is it safe?

Minimally invasive techniques carry the same general risks as any spine surgery, including infection, bleeding and nerve irritation, but the rates are lower because less tissue is disturbed. Dr. Bhalla uses intraoperative navigation and neuromonitoring to protect the nerves throughout the procedure.

Frequently asked questions

Is minimally invasive surgery less effective than open surgery?

No. The goal of the operation is identical. The difference is the path to the spine, not what is done once there. Outcomes for pain relief and nerve recovery are equivalent, with less collateral damage along the way.

Will I need a fusion?

Only if your spine is unstable or a disc must be removed entirely. Many minimally invasive procedures, such as microdiscectomy and laminectomy, decompress the nerve without any fusion.

How big is the scar?

Typically one or two incisions between half an inch and one and a half inches, depending on the procedure.

When can I drive?

Usually once you are off narcotic pain medication and can turn comfortably, often within one to two weeks for decompressions.

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