What should you know about MIS pedicle screws?

A pedicle is a strong bridge of bone at the back of a vertebra. A screw passes through this bridge and connects to rods, helping hold the planned alignment while the spine heals. MIS describes the access route and does not by itself tell you which levels, implants, or additional procedures you need.

The system may be used in [Spinal Fusion](/treatments/spine-care/spinal-fusion/) or selected [Scoliosis Surgery](/treatments/spine-care/scoliosis-surgery/). Your surgeon chooses screw size and placement using your anatomy, imaging, bone quality, and the stability required.

Give the team a complete medicines and health history, including blood thinners, diabetes, bone conditions, and prior operations. Ask how many spinal levels are involved and whether bone-health treatment is needed. At home, protect the wound, walk as instructed, and avoid lifting, twisting, or high-impact activity until cleared. Keep follow-up appointments so alignment, healing, and nerve function can be checked.

Do not change a brace, pain medicine, or exercise plan without guidance. Ask when work, driving, bathing, and physiotherapy can resume, because the timing depends on the operation rather than the screw alone.

Call the surgical team for fever, spreading redness, wound drainage, new or worsening weakness, increasing numbness, severe pain not controlled by the prescribed plan, or a new change in walking. Emergency assessment is needed for loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin, breathing difficulty, or rapidly worsening neurological symptoms.

Why is fixation recommended for my spine? Which levels will receive screws? How will placement be checked? What restrictions protect the fusion, and what signs suggest a nerve or wound problem? What happens if a screw needs review later?