Microdiscectomy: Through a small incision, part of a herniated disc is removed to decompress an irritated nerve root. The average length of stay in the hospital is now less than 24 hours.

Lumbar Laminectomy: Surgical options include reaching the lumbar spine through a small incision in the lower back to remove the source of compression ­ a part of a herniated disc or bone spur.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy: To relieve pain in the upper spine, this procedure uses a small incision in the front of the neck to reach intervertebral discs or bone spurs putting pressure on one or more nerve roots.

Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty: To relieve the pain of spinal compression fractures caused by osteoporosis or metastatic disease, surgeons can now use balloons within the bone to restore alignment of the spine, then inject cement into the bone to strengthen it. Pain relief can be nearly immediate and recovery time is minimal.

Spinal Fusion and Instrumentation: Spinal instrumentation is often required to correct degenerative arthritis, fractured or injured vertebrae, scoliosis, spinal osteoporosis, spinal tumors and spondylolisthesis.