Physicians generally recommend that people with back pain first approach the problem with more conservative treatments. Often, these treatments include a combination of physical therapy and over-the-counter or prescription pain medications. In conjunction with these measures, patients may be asked to make helpful lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, stopping smoking, and becoming more physically active. Some people may even turn to alternative options, like acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, or even yoga. If you are coping with chronic back pain for several months and have been trying conservative treatments to no avail, it might be time to talk to your physician about laser back surgery.
Although it may not be appropriate in every case of back and neck pain, laser spine surgery might be a viable solution for your condition. Endoscopic surgery can be used to treat:
- Herniated discs - The discs that act as cushions to the spine can suffer tears to their outer membranes, allowing the gelatinous core to escape, possibly placing pressure on a neighboring nerve.
- Sciatica - The body's largest nerve, the sciatic nerve, can be compressed by an inflamed or damaged part of the spine.
- Osteophytes (bone spurs) - The facet joints, or joints between the vertebrae of the spine, can grow bone spurs capable of compressing nerve roots and causing pain.
- And many other spine conditions
No matter why you're seeking laser spine surgery, when compared to open-back surgery, a less invasive endoscopic operation provides several advantages both during surgery and recovery. The difference lies in the minimally invasive technique that is used to complete the endoscopic procedure. This approach involves the surgeon making a very small incision near the affected area of the back, as opposed to the substantially larger incision made in open-back surgeries. Then, the surgeon inserts a small tube through the incision. By feeding a small camera and tiny instruments through this tube, the surgeon can see the affected area and complete the surgery. Due to the use of very small instruments rather than the typical surgical tools associated with more invasive surgeries, the muscles can be gently pushed aside, rather than severed. Endoscopic spine surgery can also result in a shorter surgery and reduced blood loss during the operation.
With all of these benefits, endoscopic spine surgery patients can experience faster recovery than patients who opt for open-back surgery. For one, the smaller incision takes a shorter time to heal, and has a reduced chance for infection and subsequent complications. Also, because the back muscles are left intact, patients are often able to return to their pre-surgery routines more quickly.
All of these benefits can sound appealing, especially to someone seeking relief from back or neck pain. With that in mind, it's important to remember that all surgeries - even minimally invasive ones - have associated risks. With virtually any surgery, there is the chance of infection and other complications during the recovery process. It's also important that you discuss your options with your physician, who can help you weigh the pros and cons of endoscopic surgery for your condition. With such an important decision, you may also want to seek out a second opinion from another physician or a surgeon who specializes in endoscopic surgeries so you can be confident in your choice.
