Robotic Spine Surgery: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Robotic Spine Surgery?
A spine surgeon performs robotic spine surgery. This is often an orthopedic surgeon, a bone and joint surgeon, or a neurosurgeon, a surgeon who treats the nerves and spine. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
Many spine operations need pedicle screws to fix the spine in place. In robotic spine surgery, a robotic system helps the surgeon place these screws. A plan is made for the path of each screw. The robotic arm then moves into position to guide the movements along that planned path. Several robotic systems have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use. At one spine center, robots were most often used in lumbar fusion. Spinal fusion is the fusing of two bones together in your back.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Spine surgery is often done for a problem with one or more disks or spine bones. A disk is a piece of cartilage that separates and cushions the bones in the spine. There is little margin for error with pedicle screw placement. Robotic systems may be considered for any spinal fusion that plans to use pedicle screws. Less radiation exposure is a possible advantage.
How to prepare
The screw paths may be planned before the operation, using a CT scan done ahead of time.
What happens during it
The exact steps depend on the robotic system used. Patients may lie face down or on their side, depending on the procedure. With one system, a CT scan done in the operating room is matched to the scans taken before surgery. The screws can be placed through a small stab cut in the skin.
Recovery
Recovery after fusion surgery is longer than after a diskectomy, which removes all or part of a disk. It takes at least 3 to 4 months after surgery for bones to heal well, and healing may continue for at least a year. Your surgeon may prescribe physical therapy so you learn how to move in a way that keeps your back in a safe position. Do not smoke or use tobacco products after spine surgery. Smoking and tobacco products slow the healing process. Contact your surgeon if you have chills or a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher. Also call for more pain where you had surgery, drainage from the wound, swelling, calf pain, a change of feeling in your arms, legs, or feet, or severe headaches that are not controlled with regular medicine. Also call if back pain gets worse and does not get better with rest and pain medicine. Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if you have numbness in your private area or lose control of your bowel or bladder. This can be cauda equina syndrome, a medical emergency. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, fainting or loss of consciousness, or bleeding that will not stop.
Risks and side effects
There are risks with every surgery. These include bleeding, infection, blood clots, and a reaction to anesthesia. A screw in the wrong place can lead to serious nerve and blood vessel problems, and it may require more surgery. Studies have found longer operating times with robotic systems.
Who performs it
A spine surgeon, such as an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon, performs robotic spine surgery.
Common questions
Can robots be used for every spine operation?
Not yet, but robots may be used for more complex spine operations in the future. Most research so far is on pedicle screw fixation.
How accurate is robotic screw placement?
Early reports show it is about as accurate as other methods of placing screws. Studies are mixed when robots are compared with traditional freehand methods. Some studies have reported worse accuracy with robots.
Does robotic spine surgery take longer?
It can take longer, because some studies found longer operating times with robotic systems. A steep learning curve for surgeons may be one reason.
Are the long-term results known?
Not yet, because the research is still lacking on long-term outcomes with these systems.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
Sources
- Frontiers in Surgery (via PubMed Central) - Robotics in Spine Surgery: A Technical Overview and Review of Key Concepts
- MedlinePlus - Spine surgery - discharge
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - OrthoInfo - Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
