The Benefits of Minimally Invasive Laser Back Surgery
If you are experiencing pain in your neck or lower back, odds are that you have sought some type of relief. Many people find that conservative treatments, which often include a combination of medications and physical therapy, can help to alleviate the pain spinal problems can cause. Sometimes, however, these measures may not be enough to reduce the pain to manageable level. If you’ve reached this point, it might be time to consider more drastic options like surgery.
Before you consult with your physician about back surgery, you may want to learn some basics about the options available to you. There are two major categories of spine surgery – open-back surgery, a more invasive option, and endoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive option. Although open-back surgery used to be only surgical option available to people who suffered from neck or back pain caused by common spinal conditions, minimally invasive endoscopic surgeries have become a more popular choice over recent years. These back surgeries can be used to treat herniated discs, bulging discs, spinal stenosis, bone spurs, and other conditions that can be quite painful. Although minimally invasive back procedures differ from surgery to surgery, all of them are completed by following the same general process: The surgeon makes a small incision in the back, inserts a thin tube, and runs a camera and extremely small surgical tools through that tube to perform the necessary operation.
Compared to more aggressive, open-back options, endoscopic surgical procedures provide patients with several advantages. For example, endoscopic surgeries generally take less time to complete than open-back surgeries thanks to the smaller incisions, reduced bleeding, and precision used throughout the process. In addition, minimally invasive surgeries can be completed using only local anesthesia to numb the incision area. In conjunction with the anesthesia, patients also often receive IV sedatives that allow them to be extremely relaxed, or even sleep, through the duration of the surgery, ensuring their comfort.
Once the endoscopic spine surgery is completed, patients can experience the benefits that a smaller incision provides. For starters, a tiny incision can lead to a decreased risk for infection, scarring, and other complications that can arise during recovery. Not only does endoscopic surgery have a lower chance of complications, but patients may also experience less pain during recovery, as compared to invasive surgery methods. This is because minimally invasive surgeries only involve gently moving the back muscles out of the way rather than cutting them to reach the spine. Preserving muscles can make healing a quicker process, helping patients to get back to their daily routines faster than they might have previously thought.
Even with all of these advantages, you should remember that no surgical procedure is without its risks – and laser back surgeries are no exception. To learn more about these risks, you should talk to your physician. He or she can explain your available options and tell you if minimally invasive back surgery would be a viable solution for your particular condition. Your physician may also be able to give you further details on the procedures themselves. In addition to speaking to your physician, you may also want to get a second opinion from surgeons who have experience in endoscopic spine surgery, as they can give you more details on the surgery itself and whether it may help you find relief from your back or neck pain.
Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to laser back surgery.
Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to laser back surgery. http://www.wfla.com/story/22642657/laser-surgery-proves-successful-for-patienst-with-back-problems-in-tampa-bay
Author Bio: Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to laser back surgery.
Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: laser back surgery, back surgery, back pain, neck pain