Smaller Incisions, Big Relief: How Endoscopic Spine Surgery Offers a New Way Forward

Back pain has a way of quietly taking over. Maybe it started with a dull ache in the morning. Maybe it hit suddenly after a twist or heavy lift. Either way, when it doesn’t go away and starts affecting sleep, work, or everyday movement, it can leave you feeling stuck.

At Spine Colorado, we’re always looking for ways to help our patients heal with less disruption. That’s why our spine surgeons, Ryan Martyn, M.D., and Amber L. Price, M.D., have introduced a new surgical option: endoscopic spine surgery. This advanced, minimally invasive technique allows us to treat spinal conditions through an incision that’s often smaller than a centimeter, helping patients recover faster, with less pain, and a shorter path back to doing what they love.

Both Dr. Martyn and Dr. Price have completed specialized training through the internationally recognized ESPINEA® Endoscopic Spine Academy, equipping them with the expertise to perform this procedure with the highest level of precision and safety.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how endoscopic spine surgery works, what makes it different from other surgical options, and how our team determines when it’s the right approach for a patient.

What Is Endoscopic Spine Surgery?

If you’ve heard the term but aren’t sure what it means, here’s the gist:

Endoscopic spine surgery uses a small camera (endoscope) and surgical instruments inserted through a tiny incision to access the spine. Surgeons can treat specific conditions, like herniated discs or spinal stenosis, by removing or decompressing the tissue that’s irritating spinal nerves.

Unlike open surgery, this method leaves muscles and ligaments largely untouched. That translates to less tissue damage, less post-op pain, and faster healing.

And unlike other “minimally invasive” procedures that still require a larger retractor, endoscopic surgery works through a natural opening in the spine, requiring only the smallest access route possible.

Conditions It Can Help Treat

Endoscopic procedures are especially effective for treating issues involving nerve compression, such as:

• Herniated Discs – when part of the disc presses on a nearby nerve, often causing sharp leg or arm pain.

• Spinal Stenosis – a narrowing of the spinal canal that leads to cramping, weakness, or numbness.

• Facet Joint Syndrome – inflammation or arthritis in the joints between vertebrae that can trigger deep, aching pain.

• Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction – pain that radiates from the lower back to the hips or thighs due to joint instability or inflammation.

These are all conditions we treat every day, and endoscopic surgery gives us another way to tailor treatment based on each patient’s needs and recovery goals.

Why We Offer Endoscopic Spine Surgery

At Spine Colorado, our goal has always been to provide effective relief with the least disruption to a patient’s life. When evaluating new surgical techniques, our team recognized that endoscopic spine surgery aligned with that philosophy, delivering precision care through the smallest possible incision.

As Dr. Martyn and Dr. Price put it, “This technique allows us to address the root of the problem while preserving the integrity of surrounding tissues. For the right patient, it offers excellent outcomes with less pain and faster recovery.”

That benefit became clear early on. In one of the team’s first endoscopic procedures, they treated a patient with severe leg pain caused by a pinched nerve. Traditional surgery wasn’t a safe option due to other medical conditions. But with the endoscopic approach, they were able to relieve the pressure through a small incision. The patient was walking later that same day.

Cases like this continue to reinforce why this option matters—for patients who need real relief without the physical and emotional toll of more invasive procedures.

What the Procedure Looks Like

Endoscopic spine surgery typically follows three steps:

1. Precise Access A tiny incision is made near the affected spinal level. Surgeons guide the endoscope through a natural opening (like the intervertebral foramen) to reach the problem area.

2. Guided Relief A high-definition camera provides a clear, magnified view of the source of pain. Micro-instruments are used to remove herniated disc material or inflamed tissue with millimeter precision.

3. Clean Closure Once the decompression is complete, the tools are removed and the incision closed with just a stitch or two. Many patients are walking within hours and return home the same day.

Our surgeons have been specially trained in these advanced techniques through the ESPINEA® Endoscopic Spine Academy, an international leader in education for minimally invasive spine procedures. This ensures that every procedure at Spine Colorado is performed with the highest level of skill, safety, and precision.

And while recovery varies based on condition and lifestyle, many patients report noticeable improvement in days, not weeks.

Why Patients Are Choosing This Option

We understand that no one is excited about the idea of surgery. But we also know how powerful it can be when surgery is the right step and the approach is designed to minimize fear, recovery time, and disruption.

Some of the most appreciated benefits of endoscopic spine surgery include:

• Smaller incisions and virtually no scarring

• Less blood loss and reduced risk of infection

• Minimal damage to muscles or bones

• Faster return to work, fitness, and daily life

• Same-day outpatient procedure in many cases

For patients who have been waiting for “something less intense” than traditional spine surgery, this is it.

Is It Right for You?

Endoscopic spine surgery isn’t right for everyone. It’s best suited for:

• Patients with localized issues at one or two spinal levels

• Those who have tried non-surgical treatments with little success

• Individuals in overall good health looking for a faster, less invasive option

Some more complex spinal problems, like severe instability, scoliosis, or widespread degenerative changes, may still require traditional surgical approaches. But for the right candidates, endoscopic techniques can offer a quicker path to recovery, with fewer complications and less pain along the way.

What Patients Want to Know

Naturally, most people have questions before choosing any surgical treatment. Here are a few we hear often:

• “Is it covered by insurance?”In many cases, yes—especially when conservative treatment has failed. Our financial team works with your insurance provider to confirm coverage and provide cost clarity up front.

• “How do I know it will work?”Endoscopic spine surgery is not experimental. It’s a well-researched, globally accepted technique with excellent outcomes for the right conditions.

• “Can something so small really help?”The size of the incision doesn’t define the success of the surgery; the precision of the surgeon does.

Moving Forward, With Less Fear and More Relief

Living with spine-related pain can disrupt every part of your life. When conservative treatments haven’t worked, the next step isn’t always clear, and surgery can feel like a big decision.

At Spine Colorado, nearly 90% of our patients find relief without surgery. For those who do need it, we’re committed to offering safe, effective options that support a faster, smoother recovery.

Endoscopic spine surgery is one of those options. It’s a minimally invasive procedure that aligns with our mission: to help patients heal with less disruption and more confidence.

We evaluate each case carefully, treat conservatively whenever possible, and recommend surgery only when it’s the right path forward. And when that time comes, we now have one more way to help you move forward—smaller, faster, and stronger than before.

Ready to take the next step?

Contact Spine Colorado to schedule a consultation and learn whether endoscopic spine surgery is right for you.