Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at University of Utah Health
At U of U Health, our experience sets us apart from others who provide endoscopic and percutaneous spine surgery. We perform many minimally invasive spine surgeries every year and are a recognized leader in endoscopic and percutaneous spine surgery.
The Endoscopic and Percutaneous Spine Program provides a minimally invasive approach to treating spinal conditions. These techniques greatly benefit our patients:
- Better outcomes
- Lower risks
- Less pain
- Faster recovery
Our doctors teach these procedures to other surgeons around the world and publish our techniques and results in academic medical journals. We don't just operate, we innovate. We consistently provide high-quality care, satisfactory results, and the best patient experience for each person we treat.
UTAH'S FIRST
spine surgeon to perform endoscopic spine surgery
MORE THAN 300
endoscopic spine surgeries performed each year
>90% OF PATIENTS
report less pain and better mobility immediately after surgery
"I went into [endoscopic] surgery, got out of surgery, was on the road for an hour and a half, got home, and took a nap. Then I went on the treadmill and walked half a mile, with really no pain at all."
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
There are many benefits of endoscopic and percutaneous spine surgery:
- Smaller incision
- Less muscle trauma
- Less blood loss
- Less infection risk
- Shorter hospital stay
- Quicker recovery time
- Less reliance on pain medication
Back Pain Conditions & Minimally Invasive Spine Procedures
Conditions
- Radiculopathy
- Spinal stenosis
- Disc herniations
- Facet pain
- Sacroiliac joint pain
- Discogenic pain
- Vertebrogenic pain
Treatments
- All spinal regions: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar
- Endoscopic surgery
- Neurectomies
- Basivertebral nerve ablation
- Facet joint denervation
- Sacroiliac joint denervation
Meet Our Endoscopic & Percutaneous Spine Program Directors
Schedule a Spine Evaluation
Our spine specialists at U of U Health will help you determine if surgery is an appropriate treatment for your back issues. At your first evaluation, our specialists will ask you about your medical history and determine whether minimally invasive spine surgery is the best treatment to correct your back pain.
You will need a referral from your primary care provider or another specialist to make an appointment. Call 801-585-6065 to schedule your evaluation.
Contact the Destination Care Program
The Endoscopic & Percutaneous Spine Program is part of U of U Health's Destination Care Program. This program offers seamless and coordinated care for your traveling patients by providing one point of contact for system navigation and additional resources. Feel free to contact us:
Email: DestinationCare@hsc.utah.edu
Phone: 801-587-6365
Traveling to Utah?
Let us help you navigate your visit.
COVID-19 Information
Find information about COVID-19 safety at U of U Health.
Meet Our Patients
Innovative Spine Surgery Gets Patient Back On the Golf Course, And On the Water
Special agent and golf-enthusiast Paul Weyland spent hours on the golf course unaware of his spine damage. He sought heat-powered Intracept treatment after a rare infection made his pain unbearable.
Active Again—Endoscopic Spine Surgery Changes the Game
Randy Oldham had major back surgery that hospitalized him for two nights. It took him a year and a half to fully come back. When he learned he once again faced back surgery this year following the return of severe pain in his spine, he was devastated and dreading a similar outcome. But this time, Randy turned to U of U Health for endoscopic spine surgery.
Watch Amy McClosky-McGinley's Story
Hear From Our Specialists
What to Expect After Endoscopic Spine Surgery
Recent biomedical advancements now allow for certain spinal surgeries to be performed via a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure. For patients undergoing endoscopic spine surgery, Dr. Mark Mahan explains what to expect during your recovery—including recovery times of only a week or two.
Is Endoscopic Spine Surgery Right For You?
If you or a loved one are experiencing issues like spinal stenosis or an impacted disc, you may be considering spinal surgery. This may seem like a complicated operation with a very long recovery time, but recent advancements may make an outpatient endoscopic procedure an option for you. Dr. Mark Mahan explains how the procedure is different and whether or not you are a candidate.