2. Before you consider undergoing any laser spine treatments, your
doctor will likely have you first complete a regimen of conservative,
nonsurgical treatments. Conservative therapies are fairly effective at
relieving the pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling that are
commonly associated with a variety of spine conditions and are
considered the first line of defense in mitigating symptoms.
Some of the most common conservative treatments used to treat
spine conditions include:
• Physical therapy
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Pain medication
• Heat therapy
• Cold therapy
• Low-impact exercise and stretching
3. Considering Your Options
A conservative treatment regimen is typically followed for at
least several weeks or months before any doctor will
recommend a surgical procedure, although each case will
differ. If conservative therapies have failed to relieve your
back or neck pain, and your doctor has asked you to consider
undergoing a surgical
procedure, it’s in your best
interest to thoroughly research
each of your options and obtain
a second or even third opinion so
that you can make an informed
decision that’s best for you.
4. Open Spine Surgery vs.
Endoscopic Spine Procedures
In general, there are two main categories of spine surgery: open spine surgery and endoscopic
procedures. Both procedures will primarily focus on decompressing the spinal cord or nerve roots
that are affected by a bulging disc, herniated disc, bone spur, or some other anatomical
abnormality. In some cases, the aim of the surgery will be to deaden nerve endings in arthritic
spinal joints, which helps relieve chronic back and neck pain. However, the surgical approach
differs for each procedure.
Open spine surgery is the most invasive of the options, requiring a large incision in the neck or
back, detachment or dissection of muscles, removal of a large portion of spinal anatomy, and in
many cases, fusion of vertebrae. As a result, the rehabilitation period associated with these types
of procedures is often quite difficult, painful, and lengthy.
The alternative option is to undergo laser spine treatments, which involve only a small incision
and the funneling of an endoscope, laser, and small surgical tools through a tube. These tools are
used to remove only the soft tissue or bone material necessary to relieve pain and other
symptoms. Thanks to the minimal tissue disruption, endoscopic procedures typically involve a
shorter and far less arduous recovery period.
5. Foraminotomy & Laminotomy
Depending on your specific condition, you may be a candidate for an
endoscopic foraminotomy or laminotomy. These surgeries involve the
removal of a small portion of vertebral bone to help decompress the
spinal cord or a nerve root. During a foraminotomy, some of the bone
that surrounds a foramen (or a passageway through which a nerve
root exits the spinal canal) is removed to increase the space
surrounding the affected nerve root and relieve pressure. Any other
tissues clogging the foramen also are removed. Similarly, during a
laminotomy, a portion of the thin, bony plates that form a protective
arch around the posterior side of the spinal cord (laminae) is removed
to increase space in the spinal column and decompress the pinched
neural structure.
6. Percutaneous Discectomy &
Facet Thermal Ablation
Other endoscopic laser spine treatments that may be
available to you include the percutaneous discectomy and
facet thermal ablation procedures. A discectomy aims to
decompress the spinal cord or a nerve root by excising or
vaporizing a portion of bulging or herniated disc material.
Instead of removing bone or disc material, facet thermal
ablation involves the deadening of medial branch nerves
that innervate a facet joint. These nerves can become
irritated by the dysfunctional, grinding movement that is
commonly associated with arthritic facet joints.
7. Ask Your Doctor
Not every patient is a candidate for laser spine
treatments, so you should see a doctor who
specialized in these procedures to assess your
candidacy. In addition to the endoscopic
procedures discussed above, you may also be a
candidate for other minimally invasive
procedures, such as intervertebral disc
regeneration and minimally invasive spine
stabilization.
