South Carolina spine center promotes endoscopic alternative to fusion

Synergy Spine Center in Seneca is highlighting full-endoscopic spinal surgery as a less-invasive, outpatient option for herniated discs and spinal stenosis after new reports flagged the high cost and frequency of unnecessary back procedures. The practice says the approach can avoid fusion hardware, shorten recovery and give patients upfront pricing.

Why it matters: - A national report released in October 2025 found U.S. hospitals performed more than 200,000 unnecessary back surgeries on Medicare patients over three years. - The Lown Institute said that worked out to one low-value back procedure every eight minutes and more than $1.9 billion in spending. - A JAMA Network Open study said inpatient lumbar fusion cost about $14 billion in 2023, with the average case near $45,000. - Published reviews place spinal fusion complication rates near 18%. - Synergy Spine Center is positioning full-endoscopic spinal surgery as a smaller option for patients who may not need fusion.

What happened: - Synergy Spine Center; Physician Group, P.A. in Seneca, South Carolina is promoting full-endoscopic spinal surgery for herniated disc and spinal stenosis. - The practice says the procedure is an outpatient alternative to spinal fusion and can often be done in about an hour. - Marion R. McMillan, MD, founder and medical director, said many patients are never told there is another way when they are told they need a fusion. - McMillan said the practice tells patients the full price before they agree to treatment.

The details: - Full-endoscopic spinal surgery uses a pencil-sized, lighted tube through an incision of less than one-third inch. - The technique removes only the herniation or stenosis pressing on the nerve. - The procedure does not use screws, rods or plates. - The practice says the surgery is frequently done under local anesthesia and most patients go home the same day. - The technique uses continuous fluid irrigation and high-definition video magnification. - Synergy says the approach targets the source of compression while sparing surrounding muscle and bone. - The practice says patients typically go home within a few hours instead of spending two to four days in the hospital. - The practice says many patients report meaningful relief within two to five days. - Published randomized controlled trials comparing full-endoscopic surgery with conventional microsurgical technique have reported comparable results for many patients with lumbar disc herniation and stenosis, with fewer complications. - Synergy says it publishes the medical literature behind its methods and bases care on scientific research and controlled clinical trials. - The practice says it rarely performs epidural steroid injections, citing an FDA safety warning and limited, often short-lived benefit. - For patients with failed back surgery syndrome, the practice offers fresh evaluation and, when appropriate, endoscopic options. - The practice says its bundled pricing includes the surgeon, anesthesia, facility fee and routine follow-up. - Synergy accepts Medicare and commercial insurance. - For self-pay, HSA and high-deductible patients, the published price is often a fraction of typical hospital charges, the practice says. - The practice offers a free MRI review by secure online upload or mail. - A surgeon reviews the MRI at no cost and gives an assessment of whether full-endoscopic surgery is appropriate. - Out-of-town and out-of-state patients are reviewed first so they do not need to travel to Seneca unless they are candidates. - Candidates are guided through a multi-day visit for evaluation, procedure and post-operative follow-up. - McMillan is Yale- and Tufts-trained, has practiced in Upstate South Carolina since 1992 and holds two U.S. patents in minimally invasive spinal technique. - McMillan has authored peer-reviewed papers and textbook chapters on endoscopic spine surgery. - McMillan is a member of the North American Spine Society and an associate member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. - McMillan's areas of focus include herniated and bulging discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica and facet-joint arthritis pain. - The practice also offers cooled radiofrequency treatment for knee, hip and shoulder osteoarthritis. - Patients and referring physicians can learn more at Synergy Spine Center or by calling the practice directly. - The media contact listed a digital marketing site at Health Marketing Group.

Between the lines: - The press release uses national cost and complication data to frame fusion as a high-burden option and endoscopic surgery as a lower-risk, lower-cost alternative. - The emphasis on transparent pricing suggests the practice is trying to compete on both clinical approach and consumer-style cost visibility. - The free MRI review lowers the barrier for second opinions, especially for patients considering travel. - The article's pitch is not that surgery is unnecessary, but that some patients may be overtreated with fusion when a targeted decompression could be enough.

What's next: - Patients considering surgery can request a free MRI review before traveling to Seneca. - Referring physicians and patients can use the practice's published pricing and review process to compare options before committing to fusion. - Synergy Spine Center is likely to continue marketing endoscopic surgery as an evidence-based alternative for disc herniation, stenosis and selected post-fusion pain cases.

The bottom line: - Synergy Spine Center is betting that a shorter, outpatient endoscopic procedure with upfront pricing will resonate with patients worried about the cost and risks of spinal fusion.