Laser spine surgeons generally are orthopedic specialists who are adept at providing lasting relief for patients suffering from degenerative spine conditions. This small but growing niche within the medical community has successfully adapted endoscopic techniques – similar to arthroscopic techniques long used to repair knees, hips, and other joints – for the treatment of debilitating back or neck pain. Increasingly, patients suffering from pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness associated with spinal nerve compression and irritation have turned away from traditional open spine surgery in favor of minimally invasive, outpatient procedures that accomplish the same kind of decompression without the highly invasive open back or neck operation.

Degenerative Spine Conditions

Laser spine surgeons can provide relief for people whose spinal anatomy has begun to wear down after years of use. Age-related deterioration of the intervertebral discs, facet joints, spinal ligaments, and other components can lead to the irritation of local nerve endings, and even compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots. This compression is what causes the set of symptoms known as radiculopathy. Some conditions that could lead to radiculopathy include:

– Bone spurs

– Collapsed discs

– Ligamental hypertrophy

– Spinal stenosis

Again, nerve compression is what makes these conditions so insidious for some people. Many others never even realize they have these degenerative spine conditions, because without nerve compression, they could very well remain asymptomatic.

Anatomical Abnormalities

While the degenerative spine conditions themselves often start out as asymptomatic, that does not mean that they will remain that way forever. The development of age-related degeneration leads to physical changes within the spine that can be direct causes of nerve compression.

For instance, osteoarthritis within the spine is the deterioration of cartilage that lines the spinal joints. In addition to inflammation and a dull ache in the area of the cartilage deterioration, the body interprets the reduction of cartilage as diminished joint stability. The response is to grow extra bone to shore up the joint. This excess bone is known as an osteophyte, or bone spur. If it grows large enough, a bone spur can jeopardize adjacent nerve roots or the spinal cord itself.

Other anatomical abnormalities that laser spine surgeons might treat include:

– Herniated discs

– Bulging discs

– Spondylolisthesis (vertebral slippage)

– Hardened ligaments

Before Considering Surgery

Before you ever begin to research laser spine surgeons, you and your primary care physician will almost certainly work toward finding relief for your symptoms without surgical intervention. The type of conservative treatment methods your doctor recommends will depend on a number of factors, including:

– Your overall health

– Type of anatomical abnormality causing the nerve compression or irritation

– The location of the nerve compression within the spine

In general, most people are able to find relief from the pain, tingling, and other symptoms of spinal degeneration through some combination of the following treatment methods:

– Over-the-counter analgesics

– Prescription narcotics

– Applications of hot and/or cold compresses

– Stretching

– Exercise

– Corticosteroid injections

– Alternative treatments, such as chiropractic adjustments

When Conservative Treatment Doesn’t Work

A small percentage of people suffering back pain, neck pain, or other symptoms associated with degenerative spine conditions might find that no combination of conservative treatment methods will suffice. These people might be advised to begin to research laser spine surgeons, but before they consent to any type of surgery, they should be absolutely certain that they have exhausted all of their conservative options.

In addition, no one should agree to undergo surgery until they have attained at least one additional medical opinion. This will help ensure that the original diagnosis is correct, and that no conservative treatment options have been overlooked.

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 procedures performed by top laser spine surgeons 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 procedures performed by top laser spine surgeons for back and neck pain. http://www.inc.com/inc5000/profile/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 procedures performed by top laser spine surgeons for the treatment of several degenerative spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: laser spine surgeons