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Spine Surgery

The Institute for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

A minor incision can spell major relief for those experiencing debilitating back pain or severe conditions affecting the spine. While many practices in our area offer a handful of procedures, The Institute for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery is the only comprehensive service in Western Massachusetts to perform more than 30 procedures.

In most cases, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) can be performed on an outpatient basis. For our patients that means:

Less pain
Incisions are significantly smaller in MIS than standard surgery, which often causes less damage to the muscles and tissues surrounding the spine.

Fewer complications
MIS procedures generally take less time than standard surgery, lowering the risk of infection. Smaller incisions also reduce the amount of blood loss and can lessen other complications.

Faster recovery
Patients generally go home a few hours after an MIS outpatient procedure and benefit from a faster healing process due to less pain and fewer complications.

The Institute for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Holyoke Medical Center is located at 10 Hospital Drive, Suite 101, Holyoke, and can be reached at 413.535.4860.

The office is open to referrals via fax 413.887.6460.

Our Services

The Institute for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery team, led by neurosurgeon Frederik Pennings, MD, PhD, an innovator in Minimally Invasive Surgery with 25+ years’ experience, can diagnose, treat, and provide relief for a host of complex conditions, tailored to the individual patient’s needs.

This includes, but is not limited to:

Herniated disc
Spinal stenosis
Scoliosis — curvature of the spine and other irregular conditions
Lumbar stenosis
Lumbar spondylolisthesis
Lumbar fusion
Cervical stenosis
Cervical herniation
Cervical and lumbar artificial disc placement
Sciatica
SI joint pain
Spinal tumor

In addition to our 25+ years of experience in Minimally Invasive Surgery, the Institute team can perform traditional, open surgery when required. Our goal is always to take whatever steps are best suited to relieve pain and restore function.

The Institute for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Holyoke Medical Center is located at 10 Hospital Drive, Suite 101, Holyoke, and can be reached at 413.535.4860.

The office is open to referrals via fax 413.887.6460

Patient Testimonials

“When you’ve suffered with that discomfort for so long, to have it disappear like that it’s just remarkable.” – Halbert Feinberg, MD

This married couple was able to return to their active lifestyle following surgery by Dr. Pennings.

“Dr. Pennings did a great job. My back pain was so bad I couldn’t do anything I used to enjoy, or even needed to do. One day in surgery and now I’m back playing with the kids and working in the yard.” — Josh

The Institute for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Holyoke Medical Center is located at 10 Hospital Drive, Suite 101, Holyoke, and can be reached at 413.535.4860.

The office is open to referrals via fax 413.887.6460

Non-Surgical Pain Management

Please read about non-surgical options for pain management here.