All you need to know about spinal stenosis laser surgery

Spinal Stenosis is a condition related to the spinal cord and hence both the nervous as well as the skeletal system of the human body. According to Wikipedia, Spinal Stenosis is the abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal or neural foramen, which results in applying pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve roots. Its symptoms include stiffness and weakness in the arms and the legs due to differential weight on the spinal cord.

Some extreme symptoms include loss of control over bowel movement and urination. Most of the mild medical cases of spinal stenosis can be treated with conservative treatment methods, such as physical therapy, exercises, and stretches. However, more advanced cases of spinal stenosis might require comprehensive treatment options like surgery to find lasting relief from acute pain. Surgery is a more permanent solution to your ache in various muscles and bones, which occur due to this disease.

What is Spinal Stenosis?
It is important to permanently drive out this problem so that you can again get back in action in your life. Laser Surgery is the most assured and tested strategy to perform this task. Laser spine surgery is a minimally invasive technique, which makes the least incision on your body during the technique. It keeps the surgery wound cleaner and decreases the post-operative pain. It is majorly automatic through a robot thereby reducing the chances of human error in the procedure. Your stay in the hospital is also reduced in these kinds of surgery as compared to standard surgery methods. Laser Surgery utilizes a Holmium laser that is inserted through a series of tubes which can be also used in case of spinal stenosis. A minute keyhole incision is made in the area of the operation where the laser and other surgical tools enter the body.

Pre-Surgery Information
A thorough examination should be done by your respective doctor and various key factors should be considered before suggesting a laser surgery. Some of those key factors are:

• Weakness, loss of flexibility, or improper sensation in the legs or arms.
• Difficulty in walking or standing.
• Little or no relief is after medications or other conservative mild therapies.
• Mobility and quality of life are reduced due to pain or dysfunction.

If anyone of the above or more of the above symptoms ring a bell, then you might be a candidate for laser surgery spinal stenosis. The aim of this procedure is to decompress the impacted nerve root or spinal cord segment by removing a part of the affected disc or vertebra that is protruding into the spinal canal through a small, muscle-sparing, incision. If your case of spinal stenosis is more severe and you need a minimally invasive stabilization procedure, then advanced surgeries such our transformational lumbar interbody fusion and anterior cervical discectomy fusion might be prescribed by the medical professionals to treat spinal stenosis. Using laser surgery for spinal stenosis have an advantage of cutting the disc tissue to decompress the spinal cord or the respective nerve tissue back to its normalized form. Bone and ligament are then removed in order to free the nerve from pressure using small instruments. The laser in laser spine surgery in totality plays a minor role.

Post-Operative Precautions

Precautions are required to be taken after the surgery. Follow these precautions to lead a safe and healthy recovery period after your laser surgery:

• Follow the surgeon’s directions for post-operative care as stated in your postoperative folder.
• Inform your physician if previously existing symptoms return or the current condition worsens.
• Inform your physician if new symptoms arise.
• Schedule a postoperative appointment with your physician two weeks after your surgery to check the wound and undress the bandage.
• Take all pain medication as prescribed. Be clear on all the medications and processes. Call your physician if there are any doubts.
• Do not drive for the first 48 hours following your surgery. Some surgical procedures require you to wait two weeks before driving.
• Avoid sitting in one position for long periods of time. Be sure to get up and slowly move around to avoid muscle stiffness.

This procedure is still in its dormant stage and it will take time to get renowned. It is widely used by many neurosurgeons, although it is not an accepted procedure by the Medical Board. However, it is still recommended by experts in case of permanent pain-relief since there are fewer ways to provide this level of comfort from this problem. Laser Surgery Spinal Stenosis is considered a safe and easy surgical option than the traditional open-back surgeries. It is still advised to you to get a second opinion from a different surgeon rather than going with a single doctor because it is a big decision and does affect you in extreme ways.