With ESUBE’s second masterclass taking place tomorrow (February 26–28, 2026), in Seville, Spain, it’s worth looking at just how much spinal endoscopy has evolved. More hospitals are adopting these techniques, and there’s been significant investment in research, what was once a highly specialized procedure is gradually becoming more routine in spine surgery.
In this brief update, we take a quick look at the market, the key drivers behind its growth, its clinical advantages, and the main competitors shaping the space:
Why spine endoscopy?
Instead of large open incisions, these procedures use very small access points, typically under one inch, combined with high-definition endoscopic visualization. Specialized working channels and tubular instruments allow surgeons to reach the target pathology while minimizing disruption to surrounding tissues.
There are basically two main approaches surgeons use:
- Uniportal endoscopy, using a single incision for both visualization and instrumentation
- Biportal endoscopy, using separate portals for the endoscope and surgical tools
Which are the Key Endoscopic Approaches?
There are several endoscopic approaches available, each tailored to address specific anatomical challenges:
- Transforaminal endoscopy remains widely used, particularly for lumbar discectomy. By accessing the spine through Kambin’s triangle, surgeons can treat foraminal nerve compression with minimal disruption. However, its effectiveness for central spinal stenosis is more limited.
- Interlaminar endoscopy provides a surgical view more comparable to traditional open techniques, which has facilitated broader surgeon adoption. This approach helps preserve key anatomical structures, including bone and facet joints, and is currently experiencing strong growth within the field.
Beyond decompression, minimally invasive fusion techniques such as MIS-TLIF use tubular retractors to create a targeted access corridor to the spine. This approach minimizes soft tissue disruption while achieving stable fusion, making it particularly suitable for elderly or medically complex patients.
In the cervical spine, endoscopic procedures are gaining traction in the treatment of degenerative conditions, with outcomes often comparable to open surgery but with reduced blood loss and shorter hospital stays. Thoracic endoscopy remains technically demanding due to anatomical complexity; however, emerging uniportal techniques are beginning to expand the therapeutic possibilities in this segment.
Is the Market Really Growing?
From what I’ve been seeing in the research, spine endoscopy looks like it’s really taking off. MarketsandMarkets estimates the segment in the mid-single-digit billion range today, they’re saying it could hit about $9 billion by 2030 – that’s roughly 8% growth year over year. Grand View Research and Fortune Business Insights report similar momentum.
While absolute market estimates vary by methodology, the directional trend is consistent: spinal endoscopy remains a segment to watch within the broader spine market.
Why is the market growing?
- Demographic trends are a primary driver. As populations age, the prevalence of degenerative spine conditions continues to rise, increasing demand for procedures that enable faster functional recovery with lower surgical burden.
- At the same time, enabling technology has advanced significantly. Modern endoscopic platforms offer improved visualization, ergonomics, and working-channel versatility. Combined with progress in imaging and navigation, these advances are increasing surgeon confidence, even in more complex indications.
- Patient expectations are also evolving. Greater awareness of minimally invasive options has heightened demand for procedures associated with reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster return to daily activity. These outcomes align closely with the priorities of both patients and value-focused healthcare systems.
- Finally, industry investment continues to accelerate, with manufacturers expanding development programs in next-generation endoscopic platforms, including uniportal systems, advanced visualization, and integrated workflow solutions.
Competitive Landscape
The spinal endoscopy space includes several established and emerging players:
- Arthrex
- baholzer Endoskopie-Systeme
- joimax
- Unintech
- MaxMoreSpine
- RIWOspine
- KARL STORZ
- Nexon Medical
- Elliquence
- Jayon Implants
- Amplify Surgical DualPortal®
- Spinendos
- Kic Ventures Elite Endoscopic Solutions
Spinal endoscopy continues to transition from a specialized technique to a strategic growth segment within spine surgery. As technology matures and surgeon adoption expands, the competitive landscape is likely to evolve further in the coming years.
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This article provides a brief update to our more comprehensive analysis published a few months ago. We invite you to review the full article if you find the topic of interest.