Introduction
Laser spine surgery is an innovative procedure that utilizes laser technology to treat various spinal conditions with accuracy and minimal invasiveness. This approach is particularly useful for conditions such as slipped discs, chronic back pain, spinal stenosis, pinched nerves, facet joint syndrome, and bone spurs.
By beaming laser energy, surgeons can remove or shrink diseased tissue while preserving healthy tissues and muscles. The major advantage of this outpatient surgery is its minimally invasive nature, resulting in less scarring, less pain, and quick recovery period. It can also be performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to return home the same day and carry about their daily activities with confidence.
Why is it performed?
Laser spine surgery is performed to heal chronic back pain and conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, pinched nerves, facet joint syndrome, and bone spurs. By focusing on diseased or damaged tissue, it seeks to lessen inflammation and relieve pressure on spinal nerves. It offers a less intrusive option to open spine procedures and is particularly helpful for patients who have not responded to conservative treatments including medicine, physical therapy, or injections.
How is it performed?
The patient is often mildly sedated throughout the surgery while under local anesthetic. To direct the laser to the target tissue, a thin tube is inserted through a tiny incision made over the afflicted area. In order to decompress nerves and relieve pain, the surgeon carefully removes, vaporizes, or shrinks the injured tissue using laser radiation. Minimal damage to the surrounding muscles and tissues is guaranteed by the use of laser technology. Patients can frequently leave the surgery center the same day because the entire procedure is usually finished in an hour.
Possible complications
Like any surgical technique, laser spine surgery has potential hazards even though it is thought to be safe and less intrusive.
- Infection, hemorrhage, nerve injury, insufficient pain alleviation, or spinal instability if enough tissue is removed are possible side effects.
- In rare cases, patients may have a recurrence of symptoms that calls for additional care.