New endoscopic spine surgery offers faster relief and quicker recovery for HCA Virginia patients
Vicki Morse had met with several orthopedists about her severe lower back pain and limited mobility before she heard about endoscopic spine surgery at Parham Doctors’ Hospital.
They had all recommended major back surgery and additional treatments to remove arthritis from her spine, options that meant significant downtime and an uncertain outcome. Seeking one last opinion, she met with Dr. Anup Gangavalli, a surgeon with HCA Virginia-affiliated OrthoVirginia. That visit changed everything.
Dr. Gangavalli introduced Morse to endoscopic spine surgery, a new advancement that uses tiny incisions and microscopic cameras to accomplish procedures historically requiring larger incisions and longer recovery. It can help people with many types of spine, back and neck issues.
The minimally invasive, 45-minute procedure uses a Medial Branch Transection (MBT), which severs the nerve that causes the pain instead of requiring rounds of injections or ablations over a long period of time. For patients, that means less pain, less disruption to daily life, and faster return to normal activity.
“I opted for that, and I really didn’t expect it to work,” said Morse, who lives in King and Queen County.
“I had a lot of pain. I couldn’t stand or walk for more than a minute and I was really close to using an electric wheelchair.”
Fortunately for Morse, who underwent the procedure in mid-December at Parham Doctors’ Hospital, it did work. And her relief was immediate.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “My recovery was about three days. I have already gone on a mild hike. I can walk. I can stand. It’s just so much better.”
Endoscopic spine surgery is a new and unique service not widely offered. In Central Virginia, HCA Virginia is leading the way with Parham Doctors’ and Johnston-Willis Hospitals both performing these procedures.
Patient demand has been strong. Parham Doctors' Hospital completed its 100th procedure in five months in January 2026.
“The results with our endoscopic spine patients have been outstanding,” said Dr. Shane McGowan, a surgeon with OrthoVirginia. “The fast recovery, minimal postoperative pain and drastic reduction in their original symptoms are very impressive."
For patients like Morse, the impact is life‑changing — offering hope, mobility, and the chance to return to the activities they enjoy without the long recovery of traditional surgery.
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