Spine Surgery Made Simple: Discover the InSpan™ Advantage

Written by Sukanya Chebrolu, MS and Chukwunonso C. Ilogu, MD, MS of the LESS™ Society.

Managing spine issues can be overwhelming, and the idea of surgery may seem daunting. Traditional spine surgery often involves large incisions, extended recovery times, and significant muscle disruption.

But what if there was a safer, simpler option?

Less Exposure Spine Surgery (LESS™) isn’t just a technique it’s a philosophy that puts your recovery and long-term function first. By minimizing disruption to healthy tissue, LESS™ helps patients heal faster and get back to doing what they love sooner. A standout example of this approach is InSpan™, an interspinous fixation device designed to stabilize the spine while fully aligning with the core goals of LESS™: Restoring function, Early intervention for promoting a safer surgical experience, while Preserving anatomy.

What is Less Exposure Spine Surgery (LESS™)?

LESS™ is a minimally invasive approach to spine surgery, guided by the principles of R.E.P. :

• Restoring Function – Helping patients regain mobility and normal movement as quickly as possible.

• Early Intervention – Addressing spinal conditions before they worsen, reducing the need for complex surgeries.

• Preserving Anatomy – Protecting healthy tissue by avoiding unnecessary muscle and bone disruption.

Thanks to smaller incisions and advanced techniques, LESS™ surgery often means:

• Less blood loss – Preserving your body’s natural structures.

• Shorter surgical time – Getting you in and out of the operating room faster.

• Reduced pain – Minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues.

• Faster recovery – So you can return to daily life with fewer delays.

• Minimal scarring – Because healing well also means looking and feeling better.

LESS™ is now considered a preferred approach for treating conditions like spinal stenosis, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease (DDD), and spondylolisthesis. It is especially beneficial for older patients or those with health concerns who may experience more challenges recovering from traditional open surgery (2).

How Does InSpan™ Enhance LESS™?

InSpan™ is an advanced interspinous fixation device that works in harmony with LESS™ procedures. Unlike traditional pedicle screw fixation, which often involves large incisions and extensive tissue disruption, InSpan™ is placed between the spinous processes the small bony ridges along the back of your spine. This placement allows for:

• Immediate spinal stability.

• Support for spinal fusion.

• Preservation of spinal anatomy and motion whenever possible.

The InSpan™ Advantage

Here’s what makes InSpan™ stand out:

• Enhanced Precision – Allows surgeons to navigate the spine accurately, reducing damage to surrounding tissues.

• Smaller Incisions – Leads to quicker healing and a more comfortable recovery.

• Immediate Stability – Unlike traditional fusion techniques, InSpan™ provides instant support to the spine.

• Faster Recovery – Patients experience less pain and return to normal activities sooner. 

• Ideal for Outpatient Surgery – Many InSpan™ procedures are performed as same-day surgeries.

• Clinically Proven – Studies show its effectiveness in treating degenerative spinal conditions.

Why Choose InSpan™ for Your Spine Surgery?

If you're considering spine surgery, combining LESS™ techniques with InSpan™ technology can offer: 

• Less Recovery Time – Traditional spine surgery recovery can take months, while patients using InSpan™ often regain mobility within weeks.

• Less Pain, More Comfort – Smaller incisions mean less disruption, less pain, and a smoother recovery.

• Proven Success – Backed by clinical research, InSpan™ has demonstrated strong patient outcomes over multiple years (3, 4).

• A Patient-Centered Approach – Designed with your long-term well-being and mobility in mind.

What Does InSpan™ Look Like?

Below is an image of the InSpan™ device, highlighting its sleek, stabilizing structure.

Above: Precision-engineered InSpan™ implant designed for advanced spinal stabilization.

Image Source: https://myinspan.com/products

What Does the Research Say?

• A five-year clinical study published in the Journal of Spine Surgery found that patients who received InSpan™ for spinal stenosis experienced significant long-term improvement (4).

• Further research supports the efficacy of InSpan™ in LESS™ procedures, showing reduced complication rates and faster recovery times compared to traditional spinal fusion methods.

Is InSpan™ Right for You?

If you suffer from chronic back pain, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease, InSpan™ combined with LESS™ surgery could offer a safer, more effective solution.  To learn more about whether this innovative approach is right for you, visit KIC Ventures or consult a specialist experienced in LESS™ techniques.

In Summary

• LESS™ = Less pain, faster healing, and preserved anatomy.

• InSpan™ = Immediate spinal stability with minimal disruption.

• Together = A smarter, patient-first approach to spine care.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is InSpan™? 

A:  InSpan™ is an interspinous fixation device designed to provide stability and support in spinal fusion procedures. It helps relieve pain caused by degenerative spinal conditions and offers a less disruptive alternative to traditional spinal fusion techniques.

2. Who is a candidate for InSpan™ and Less Exposure Spine Surgery? 

A: Patients with herniated discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or spondylolisthesis may benefit from InSpan™ and LESS techniques. It’s particularly suitable for individuals seeking a faster recovery, minimal scarring, and a lower-risk alternative to conventional open spine surgery. 

3. How long does recovery take after surgery with InSpan™?  

A: Recovery time varies based on the patient's condition and overall health, but many experience significant improvement within days to weeks. Unlike traditional spine surgery, which may require months of healing, patients undergoing Less Exposure Spine Surgery with InSpan™ often resume normal activities much sooner with less post-operative pain. 

References 

1. Inspan, LLC. (2025). Inspan – ScrewLES® Spine Surgery. Retrieved June 30, 2025, from https://myinspan.com/.

2. Chin KR, Ricchetti ET, Yu WD, Riew KD. Less exposure surgery for multilevel anterior cervical fusion using 2 transverse incisions. J Neurosurg Spine 2012;17:194–8. https://doi.org/10.3171/2012.5.SPINE111112.

3. Chin KR, Seale JA, Spayde E, Costigan WM, Gohel N, Aloise D, et al. Prospective 5-year follow-up of L5–S1 versus L4–5 midline decompression and interspinous-interlaminar fixation as a stand-alone treatment for spinal stenosis compared with laminectomies. J Spine Surg 2023;9:398–408. https://doi.org/10.21037/jss-23-49.

4. Chin KR, Pencle FJR, Benny A, Seale JA. Greater than 5-year follow-up of outpatient L4−L5 lumbar interspinous fixation for degenerative spinal stenosis using the InSpan device. J Spine Surg 2020;6:549–54. https://doi.org/10.21037/jss-20-547.