Laser spine treatment is typically reserved for patients who have first attempted to find relief from back and neck pain with a set of conservative, nonsurgical therapies. These methods are usually the go-to doctor-recommended treatments when it comes to combating the pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness that are commonly associated with bone spurs, herniated or bulging discs, or other spine conditions, largely because studies have shown these methods to be relatively effective at mitigating symptoms.

Prior to suggesting any spine surgery, a patient’s doctor may recommend a course of one or more non-surgical treatments, such as:

– Low-impact exercise

– Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

– Narcotic pain medication

– Physical therapy

– Cryotherapy (cold therapy)

– Thermotherapy (heat therapy)

The Importance of Research

A doctor will typically recommend that a patient complete at least several weeks or months of conservative treatments like the ones listed above before laser spine treatment or any other spine surgery becomes an option. However, if nonsurgical methods are unable to mitigate a patient’s back or neck pain after this time period, a doctor may then suggest surgical intervention.

Before consenting to any one procedure, it is important for a patient to carefully consider all of the surgical options available to him or her, including weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each. Additionally, obtaining multiple opinions can help confirm the original diagnosis and ensure that all conservative therapies have been attempted. Armed with this information, a patient can then make the decision that’s best for him or her.

The Difference Between Open Spine Surgery and Endoscopic Procedures

When it comes to spine surgery, the main goal is often to decompress local nerve endings, the spinal cord, or nerve roots that have been affected by some anatomical abnormality. There are two main categories for decompression operations: open spine surgery and endoscopic procedures.

Open spine surgery is a highly invasive operation, requiring large incisions, muscle dissection, the removal of a significant portion of spinal anatomy, and in some cases, spinal fusion. Due to its level of invasiveness, open spine surgery often yields a recovery period that is lengthy and difficult.

Endoscopic procedures, on the other hand, take a minimally invasive approach to treating back and neck conditions, involving a small incision through which a series of tubes is inserted to allow access to the spine without dissecting musculature or disrupting a large portion of spinal anatomy. An endoscope (camera), laser, and tiny surgical tools are funneled through the tubes and are used to remove only the bone material or soft tissue that is necessary to relieve nerve irritation or compression. Because laser spine treatment is far less invasive than open spine surgery, the recovery period is generally shorter and less arduous.

Types of Endoscopic Procedures

Endoscopic laser spine treatment comes in many forms, and many procedures that are dubbed “laser spine surgeries” can also be performed through an open spine approach. The specific procedure that a doctor recommends will be based on a patient’s specific condition, the location and severity of symptoms, overall level of health, and other factors. In general, the most common types of endoscopic spine procedures include:

– Laminotomy

– Foraminotomy

– Discectomy

– Facet thermal ablation

Some laser spine treatment centers may also offer procedures involving the patient’s own adult stem cells, used in combination with endoscopic techniques, to help regenerate degenerative discs, or even minimally invasive spine stabilization as an alternative to open spinal fusion.

Consult Your Doctor

While laser spine treatment can offer patients a safe and effective alternative to open spine surgery, not all patients are candidates. If you are considering undergoing a surgical procedure to help treat your back or neck pain, ask your doctor to review your MRI or CT scan to determine whether an endoscopic procedure could help relieve your symptoms.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient laser spine treatments for the treatment of several degenerative spinal conditions.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute offers safe and effective outpatient laser spine treatments. http://tampabay.topworkplaces.com/frontend.php/regional-list/company/tampabay/laser-spine-institute

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient laser spine treatments for the treatment of several degenerative spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: laser spine treatments