The minimally invisive lateral procedure for spinal fusion is performed through a small incision in your side rather than you back. This protects the muscles in  your back from being cut during the surgery. 

You will be placed on the operating table on your side and your surgeon will place a special instrument called a retractor to access the spine.  Your surgeon will then remove the disc that is causing your pain.  In place of the disc, your surgeon will insert an bone graft or an interbody fusion device. After  the fusion procedure, your surgeon will also place other devices such as small screws and rods through small incisions in your back. The implants will help stabilize the spine while the bones are fusing together and your body heals. 

The surgeon may use some type of metal screws, plates, and rods to hold the vertebrae in place while the spine fusion heals. Designed to stabilize and hold the bones together while the fusion heals, these devices have greatly improved the success rate of fusion in the lower back.

A type of device, called an intebody fusion device, or cage, can be used to perform a spinal fusion between two vertebrae. These implants are designed to spread the two vertebrae apart while the fusion heals.