Surgical procedures on the spine
Surgical procedures at a glance
Modern spine surgery relies on minimally invasive techniques, high precision, and individually tailored procedures. Here you will find an overview of the most common surgical options.
In very special cases, the disc material can be removed purely endoscopically. Small skin incision of 2-3 cm to expose the spinal canal. Under the surgical microscope, the nerve is held aside and the extruded disc material is removed. Standing up just 6 hours after surgery. Discharge possible after 2-3 days.
In principle, the nerve decompression is performed through an anterior approach. The anterior approach is less invasive compared to the posterior approach. Fixation of the segment is usually required. Fixation is achieved either through a rigid spacer or through a disc prosthesis. Standing up just 2 hours after surgery and leaving the clinic after 2 days.
In a fusion operation, one or more motion segments are definitively fixed. In principle, temporary spacers made of titanium and bone material are inserted. Mostly minimally invasive through small skin incisions. The reputation of fusion operations is unjustly poor. The frequent question about the domino effect on the adjacent segment due to overloading is massively overestimated. Standing up just 6 hours after surgery; no sitting restriction necessary.
Usually performed concurrently with nerve decompression. For isolated neck pain without radiating symptoms, results may be misleading. Same protocols as cervical decompression fusion. Prostheses may show better future results for pure neck pain.
The disc prosthesis is a fixation technique that is proving itself more and more today. Advantages over fusion due to preserved mobility. Implanted through a minimally invasive anterior approach. Standing up just 6 hours after surgery; discharge after 2-3 days.
Implanted through a minimally invasive anterior approach. This procedure is increasingly prevailing over fusion surgery. Standing up just 2 hours after surgery; discharge after 2 days.
Alternative to classical posterior fusion. Designed to eliminate the disadvantages of fusion. Multiple dynamically neutralizing systems are available.
The augmentation of the collapsed vertebra usually brings immediate pain relief. Patients can stand up immediately. Performed percutaneously (i.e., through the skin) under permanent X-ray control. The fracture must be stabilized within 3 months.
When this page is most useful
This overview is meant to make spine surgery terms easier to understand, not to push patients toward an operation. A procedure description alone does not tell you whether surgery is appropriate in your case. Symptoms, neurological findings, clinical course and the role of conservative care still matter more than the name of the technique.
Before any major operation, patients should understand which symptom the procedure is expected to improve, what its realistic limits are, and whether the proposed technique actually matches the clinical problem.
Questions before spine surgery
Medically reviewed by Dr. med. Christian R. Etter
Orthopaedic Surgery FMH, specialized in spine surgery
Last medical review: April 2026
View curriculum vitaeGet Your Second Opinion Now!
Usually covered by your Swiss health insurance.
With the Covid pandemic, online competence has increased significantly, even among older people. The home office trend has also shown what is possible online. Telemedicine has made significant progress in the wake of this development, and especially for a quick answer to the question of whether an operation is sensible or not, the personal meeting in the "digital space" is a valuable addition.
How it works
Fill out the questionnaire and upload your documents.
The spinal surgery specialist has access to the documents immediately after receipt in an EU-compliant, data-secure cloud, enabling an extraordinarily fast preparation of the second opinion. Based on the documents, the expert first assesses the urgency. In any case, you will receive the second opinion within 5 working days, with express option in 2 days. In complex case situations, the opinion of an international expert is additionally obtained.
Within 5 working days you will receive the second opinion via email. For ordered emergency express second opinions, you will receive it within 2 working days. At the same time, you will receive a summarizing voice memo with deeper explanations. Together with the second opinion, you will receive an appointment for a 15-minute follow-up discussion via Zoom, Skype or FaceTime. This way, any uncertainties can be clarified.