Technology is rapidly advancing. The amount of innovations in the tech sphere has seemed to increase exponentially each year over the last 20 years. Nowhere is that more evident than in the health care field where endoscopic laser spine surgery is helping to make dangerous and painful spine surgery a thing of the past.

Talk of new technology can get, well, technical. So we’ll walk you through a breakdown of this new and innovative process step-by-step. Let’s start off with the obvious.

What is Endoscopic Surgery?

Endoscopic surgery can refer to any surgery that uses an endoscope. An endoscope is a small tube with a camera and light on the end of it that is used to look inside a body cavity or organ. Tiny instruments can be run through the tubing to perform procedures. Endoscopes are used to look closer at certain parts of the body.

All procedures that involve an endoscope end in the suffix -ocopy. You may have heard the terms arthroscopy, bronchoscopy or colonoscopy before. These procedures use an endoscope to look closer at joints, airways and lungs, and colons, respectively.

How is this used to treat Spinal Conditions?

In the case of spinal surgery, endoscopes are fitted with a laser and used to remove troublesome discs or sections of spine. Endoscopic spinal surgeries are outpatient procedures wherein a specially trained doctor inserts the endoscope through a small incision in the back and uses the camera and instruments to perform a removal surgery

How is an Endoscopic Spinal surgery preferable to traditional surgery?

Endoscopic surgeries hold a number over advantages over traditional open-back surgeries.

Open-back surgeries are incredibly traumatic and consist of slicing through the muscles of the back to reach the spine. Typical recovery time from an open-back surgery is six months to a year, with a large portion of that time spent on bed rest. It is also unlikely that the muscles that have been cut to reach the spine will ever fully recover. Additionally, open-back surgeries use large incisions that leave permanent and nasty scars.

Endoscopic spine surgeries, however, enter the back via a small incision and leave the muscles of the back intact. An endoscopic surgery is an outpatient procedure and most patients report a full recovery within two weeks. Endoscopic surgeries leave no lasting trauma and allow you to get on with your life.

What Conditions Can Be Treated Via Endoscopic Surgery?

Many typical spinal conditions can be treated via endoscopic procedures. A few of the ailments that can be treated are:

– Spinal stenosis- a narrowing of the spine that occurs due to aging and puts pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots leading to pain. Endoscopic spinal surgeries can relieve the pressure and alleviate the pain.

– Bulging, Prolapsed, Ruptured or Herniated Discs- Problems with the intervertebral discs can lead to pain in a number of ways. Misshapen discs can put pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots and ruptured discs can leak their inner fluid (nucleus pulposus) into the spinal cavity, causing irritation and pain. Endoscopic surgeries can remove these troublesome discs.

– And many others

How Do I Know If Endoscopic Spinal Surgery Is Right For Me?

Talk to your primary care physician if you are experiencing back or neck pain. They should prescribe a regimen of conservative methods to provide relief from your chronic pain. If after several months the methods do not appear to be working, endoscopic spinal surgery may be right for you. Consult one of the many endoscopic surgery centers throughout the nation to see if you are a candidate for these procedures.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to healthcare technologies.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those healthcare technologies. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/laser-spine-institute-partners-with-mar

Author Bio: John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to healthcare technologies.

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: Healthcare Professionals, Medicine, Doctors