Minimally Invasive Spine (MIS) Interventions: A New Approach to Treating Chronic Pain
Minimally invasive spine (MIS) interventions are becoming an increasingly available option in the treatment of chronic pain. Stanford’s Dr. Joseph Liao uses MIS techniques to help patients find relief through small incisions and image-guided precision, while promoting easier recovery.
What are Minimally Invasive Spine (MIS) interventions?
MIS uses small incisions and specialized tools to treat certain types of pain. These procedures are usually done on an outpatient basis, meaning patients go home the same day. Because less tissue is disturbed, there is often less pain after the procedure and a faster recovery.
Recovery time depends on the type of procedure and your health. Doctors often combine MIS with treatments like physical therapy to help improve strength, movement, and long-term results.
Conditions Treated with MIS
Chronic pain can be difficult to manage with conservative therapies alone. In some cases, MIS can also serve as a salvage option for people who continue to experience pain after prior surgeries. Common causes of chronic pain treated with MIS include:
- Chronic low back pain
- Chronic leg pain
- Sacroiliac joint pain
- Lumbar muscle atrophy
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Neurogenic claudication
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Joint pain
Types of MIS
Our MIS and neuromodulation team provides several minimally invasive procedures for chronic pain, including:
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
- Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation
- Restorative Neuromodulation
- Sacroiliac Joint Fusion
- Basivertebral Nerve Ablation
- Interspinous Spacer
- Percutaneous Image-Guided Lumbar Decompression/Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression
- Radiofrequency Ablation
When to consider MIS
If you’ve been struggling with low back pain for more than three to six months and haven’t found relief from treatments like physical therapy or basic injections, it may be time to see our team. Many people who visit the Stanford Pain Management Center have already tried treatments like physical therapy, injections, medications, and major surgeries, but still haven’t found lasting relief.
At this point, our interventional pain specialists can offer advanced solutions, including MIS. Our team will work closely with you to understand your symptoms, review your imaging, and determine the best course of action to improve your function and reduce pain.
Why get MIS at Stanford?
At Stanford Pain Management Center, you are cared for by a team, not just one doctor. We look at the whole picture before recommending any procedure, so MIS is one option among many. For some people, simpler treatments work well. For others, a minimally invasive procedure may be the right next step.
Advanced imaging helps guide treatment with accuracy, protecting healthy tissue and lowering the risk of complications. Many patients who come to Stanford have already tried other treatments without relief, and we are experienced in caring for complex cases.
We also work closely with other specialists, including surgeons and referring doctors. If surgery is the better option, we will say so. If a procedure is not needed, we will say that too. Our goal is to recommend the right treatment at the right time.
Dr. Liao sums it up: “We view chronic pain care as a continuum—from conservative treatments like physical therapy, pharmacologics, and psychological support, to targeted injections and ablations, to surgical interventions. The goal is to match the treatment to the patient's specific needs at the right time. We do not view any one treatment as the first or last resort because each patient and condition is unique. We focus on choosing the right treatment, for the right patient, and at the right time to facilitate the best possible outcomes.”
The Future of Pain Treatment
Minimally invasive spine procedures continue to improve as technology advances. These changes are helping doctors treat pain in more focused ways, with less disruption to the body.
At Stanford, the goal is simple: to keep learning and improving so patients have thoughtful, well-matched treatment options. MIS is not the right choice for everyone, but for some people, it can offer meaningful relief and a smoother recovery.
