Procedures
Advanced Spine Surgery. Personalized for Every Patient.
When surgery is the right solution, Dr. NaPier utilizes the latest evidence-based techniques designed to relieve pain, preserve motion whenever possible, and support a faster recovery. Every procedure is selected based on your condition, goals, and lifestyle, never a one-size-fits-all approach.
Motion Preservation
Advanced procedures designed to relieve pain while maintaining as much natural spinal motion as possible.
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Artificial disc replacement is a minimally invasive surgical procedure Dr. NaPier performs to treat nerve root and spinal cord compression. Artificial disc replacement is a safe and extremely well-studied surgical procedure.
Patients who experience the following symptoms may benefit from ADR surgery:
Severe pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates from the neck into the shoulder, arms or hands
Severe neck pain
Upper extremity weakness
Gait imbalance (wobbly gait) or hand dysfunction
Procedure:
The procedure involves making a small, cosmetic incision in the neck and moving the throat to the side in order to expose the front of the spine. The worn-out disc is removed along with any disc fragments or bone spurs that may be causing pressure on the nerves or spinal cord. The disc is then replaced with an arthroplasty device that mimics the natural motion of the disc. This is very similar to a hip or knee replacement in that the arthroplasty device preserves motion between the two bones it connects. Patients who have severe arthritis in the facet joints in the back of their spines or significant spinal instability are not good candidates for disc arthroplasty.
Recovery:
This procedure is usually performed in an ambulatory surgery center with the patient going home the same day or the following morning. Most patients have significant relief of symptoms within the first several weeks of surgery.
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What is Lumbar Microdiscectomy with Annular Closure (Barricaid)?
Lumbar disc herniations are the most common cause of sciatica, especially in working age patients. Dr. NaPier performs a high volume of outpatient microdiscectomy surgeries with excellent results. The biggest problem with microdiscectomy surgery is recurrent disc herniation, which can occur in 7-15% of patients. In this case the gelatinous material inside of the disc (nucleus pulposus) reherniates through a defect in the fibrous crust of the disc space (annulus pulposus). Barricaid is an annular closure device that cuts the rate of reherniation in half. It also may allow earlier return to work in the case of work related injuries and sport in the case of athletes. If you have sciatica, contact Dr. NaPier’s team today to see if you are a candidate for microdiscectomy with Barricaid.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS)
Smaller incisions, less muscle disruption, and faster recovery whenever appropriate.
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Prone Transpsoas Lumbar Interbody Fusion, or PTP-LIF, is a minimally invasive technique used to access and stabilize the lumbar spine while the patient remains in the prone position. The approach can support efficient surgical access, alignment correction, and nerve decompression while limiting disruption to surrounding tissues.
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Lumbar decompression procedures relieve pressure on spinal nerves caused by disc herniations, spinal stenosis, or bone overgrowth. The specific technique is tailored to each patient’s condition while preserving as much healthy anatomy as possible.
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This minimally invasive technique stabilizes the cervical spine using smaller incisions and specialized instrumentation. Compared with traditional surgery, it may reduce muscle disruption and speed recovery.
Cervical Spine Procedures
Specialized procedures to treat cervical disc disease, spinal cord compression, and nerve-related neck conditions.
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ACDF is a well-established procedure used to relieve nerve or spinal cord compression in the neck caused by damaged discs. After removing the affected disc, the spine is stabilized with a bone graft and implant to restore alignment and reduce pain.
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PCDF relieves pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots through the back of the neck while stabilizing the affected spinal levels. It is commonly used for more advanced cervical spine conditions.
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Cervical laminoplasty relieves pressure on the spinal cord while preserving motion in the neck. Rather than removing bone entirely, the spinal canal is expanded to create more space for the spinal cord.
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Artificial Disc Replacement removes a damaged cervical disc while preserving natural motion in the neck. For appropriately selected patients, it can relieve nerve compression without requiring spinal fusion.
Lumbar Fusion Procedures
Stabilization procedures designed to relieve pain caused by spinal instability or degeneration.
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Dr. NaPier is a nationally renowned expert on PTP LIF having presented at national meetings and published his own outcomes in peer reviewed journals. He remains at the forefront of the field, lecturing on innovative techniques and working with equipment manufacturers to design the safest and most effective surgical equipment.
Click here to see if you are a candidate!
Click here to watch a demonstration of Dr. NaPier performing PTP LIF!
Click here to watch Dr. NaPier lecturing on PTP LIF at Seattle Science Foundation!
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ALIF approaches the lumbar spine from the front of the body, allowing damaged discs to be removed without disturbing the back muscles. It restores disc height, improves alignment, and stabilizes the spine.
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LLIF accesses the lumbar spine through the patient’s side, minimizing muscle disruption while restoring spinal alignment and stability. This minimally invasive approach is often associated with shorter recovery times.
Watch Dr. NaPier demonstrating LLIF technique to treat spondylolisthesis at Seattle Science Foundation -
TLIF is a posterior fusion technique that removes a damaged disc and stabilizes the spine through a single incision in the back. It is commonly performed to relieve nerve compression while restoring spinal stability.
Spine Reconstruction & Revision Surgery
Advanced procedures for patients with spinal deformity, previous surgery, or complex spine conditions.
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Revision spine surgery addresses persistent pain or complications following previous spine procedures. Dr. NaPier specializes in evaluating complex cases and developing individualized treatment plans to restore function and improve quality of life.
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Spinal deformity surgery restores alignment, improves balance, and relieves pain caused by abnormal spinal curvature. Dr. NaPier uses modern surgical techniques designed to maximize correction while supporting long-term function.
SI Joint Fusion (SI Fusion)
The Sacroiliac joint is the largest joint in the body and provides the important connection between the spine and the pelvis. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is present in up to 30% of patients with chronic lower back pain and up to 43% of patients with new onset or continued pain after lumbar fusion. SI Fusion is a minimally invasive surgical technique that treats pain due to sacroiliac joint dysfunction by stabilizing the sacroiliac joint.
Dr. NaPier will make a small one-inch incision and utilize fluoroscopy to place three triangular porous titanium implants across your SI Joint to provide immediate stability and allow your own bone to grow through the implant and fuse the joint, eliminating any painful inflammation associated with the movement of the joint. This surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis at an ambulatory surgery center, with the patient going home a few hours after surgery.
Please click here for a procedural illustration of SI Fusion
OCCUPATIONAL SPINE CARE · WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
Where Exceptional Patient Care Meets Better Employer Outcomes.
Occupational spine care requires much more than simply treating an injury. Effective occupational spine care requires a detailed understanding job demands, constant coordination and communication with employers, adjusters, nurse case managers, physical therapists, and other dedicated providers to developing treatment plans that support safe, successful return-to-work outcomes.
Dr. NaPier has a passion for occupational medicine and has pioneered several techniques that allow for less postoperative pain and faster return to work including:
Dr. NaPier has presented his work nationally and locally and was recently a featured speaker at the Indiana Worker's Compensation Institute (IWCI) Annual Seminar.
Dr. NaPier and his team at Indiana Spine Group work proudly with Workers’ Compensation and self-insured employers, with the flexibility to help organizations navigate benefits and access highest-quality, lowest-cost spine care for their employees.
VERIFIED PATIENT REVIEWS
Real Patients. Real Recoveries.
Every patient’s journey is unique, but the goal is always the same: restoring movement, relieving pain, and helping people return to the life they love.
5.0 ★★★★★ BASED ON GOOGLE REVIEWS
“After two years of chronic back pain, Dr. NaPier was the first surgeon who truly listened. Six weeks after my minimally invasive procedure, I was back at work — and back on the golf course.”
★★★★★ ·
Dr NaPier and his staff are very professional and proficient. I would recommend them to anyone that's serious about having their back problems corrected. Couldn't have reached 12k without having my surgery done!
DAVID R.
★★★★★ ·
Excellent Dr! Answered all questions gave in depth answers. Extremely knowledgeable and kind. Very detailed and was able to come to a solution thats best for me. Highly recommend!
COURTNEY T.
★★★★★ ·
I'm 65 years old had an accident at work was treated with compassion and hiley perfesional approach would recommend indiana spine and doctor Napier to my family and friends!!!
MICHAEL A.PRESS & NEWS
Leading Through Research,
Education & Innovation
PTP Lateral Interbody Fusion Technique Published in NASS Journal
The largest single-surgeon case series with radiographic and functional outcomes to date.
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Named Top 20 Spine Surgeon Under 40 by North American Spine Society
Honored for commitment to improving patient outcomes through education, innovation, and...
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Speaking at the Seattle Science Foundation
Sharing minimally invasive PTP experience with world-renowned spine surgeons and educators.
WATCH VIDEO →SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
Take the First Step Toward Lasting Relief
Whether you’re experiencing chronic back pain, recovering from a workplace injury, or exploring treatment options, our team is here to help you move forward with confidence.