Is Spinal Stenosis Surgery Necessary?

Although it can be a frustrating and painful condition, spinal stenosis usually will not require surgery. This degenerative condition is characterized be the gradual narrowing of the spinal canal due to anatomical abnormalities, such as herniated discs, bone spurs, and bulging discs. When the canal‘s circumference becomes so reduced that it exerts pressure on nearby spinal nerves, symptoms of numbness, pain, tingling, and weakness can present in the regions of the body innervated by those compressed spinal nerves.

However, most patients will likely find relief with conservative treatments like pain medication, low-impact exercise, stretching, intermittent rest, cold compresses, and heat therapy. If you are part of the small percentage of patients who are not able to find relief through these methods, keep in mind that a highly invasive open back or neck surgery is not your only other treatment option for spinal stenosis.

Learning About Endoscopic Spinal Stenosis Surgery

Minimally invasive spine procedures are safe and effective alternatives to open back or neck surgery. Not only do these endoscopic techniques greatly reduce possible risks, but they also involve an expedited recovery period. Characteristics of a minimally invasive spinal stenosis surgery include:

• No general anesthesia or hospitalization is required.
• A small incision allows the surgeon to funnel surgical tools to the site of compression.
• An endoscope allows the surgeon to view the surgical site on a video monitor.
• No connective tissues need to be dissected.
• The portion of the spinal anatomy causing compression is safely removed.
• Hardware and bone grafts are not required.

The Role of Laser Spine Institute

As the Leader in Endoscopic Spine Surgery™, Laser Spine Institute helps more people to relieve their neck and back pain each month than any other spine surgery center in the world. 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. Contact a Laser Spine Institute consultation facility today to find out more and to receive a complimentary review of your MRI or CT scan.