Pinched Nerve Surgery

Are There Risks Associated with Pinched Nerve Surgery?

Pinched nerve surgery, like any surgical procedure, does come with risks. An open back or neck surgery requires general anesthesia, to which the patient could have an allergic or cardiopulmonary reaction. In addition, a large incision and dissection of muscles and ligaments can increase the risk of scar tissue, infection, and delayed healing. However, some negative effects of a highly invasive operation aren‘t evident until several days, weeks, or months after the procedure. Because a certain amount of discomfort naturally follows any operation, it can be some time before the patient and the doctor realize that lingering pain is actually the result of an unsuccessful operation. This is a condition referred to as failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS).

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)

Possible symptoms of FBSS include:

• Pain above or below the surgical site
• Numbness or loss of feeling anywhere in the body
• Chronic headaches
• Insomnia, depression, or anxiety
• Tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation
• A return of original symptoms

Benefits of a Minimally Invasive Procedure

A minimally invasive pinched nerve surgery greatly reduces the risk of FBSS. An extremely small incision and the use of an endoscope eliminate the need for muscle dissection, which reduces the chances of nerve damage and scar tissue build-up. No hardware or bone grafts are required for a minimally invasive procedure, which reduces the chances of infection and post-operative rejection. If you‘re interested in learning more about endoscopic procedures and their numerous benefits, contact a Laser Spine Institute consultation facility today. Our streamlined process, from the initial consultation to the post-operative assessment, takes less than one week. Most of our patients are back on their feet within an hour of surgery, and 75 percent of our patients return to daily activities within two weeks of surgery.