Back Pain Treatment

Percutaneous Discectomy used to treat the following conditions:

• Herniated Disc
• Bulging Disc
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Sciatica
• Nerve Impingement

This procedure is performed without the need for general anesthesia in an outpatient surgical setting. After IV sedation and a local anesthetic is administered, a small incision is made and a round Depuy tube is placed into the incision. This tube allows us to perform percutaneous discectomies with minimal damage to the surrounding muscles. The muscles are pushed out of the way and are not torn or cut. Through this working tube we insert the laser, camera, suction, irrigation and other surgical instruments. Once everything is in place, the surgeon utilizes a laser to vaporize the disc material, therefore diminishing the pressure on the spinal cord and/or the spinal nerve. Some patients feel immediate relief of their back pain during the percutaneous discectomy as the pressure is minimized.

When the procedure is complete, the tube is slowly removed, allowing the muscles to move back into place. A percutaneous discectomy is a relatively short procedure, only taking 30 to 45 minutes to perform with a quick recovery. After 1 - 2 hours of monitoring, the patient (with a companion) is free to go.

We commonly encourage patients to take a long walk the afternoon or evening of their percutaneous discectomy procedure. The patient returns the following day for a postoperative visit to get clearance from the doctor to return home.

Foraminotomy used to treat the following conditions:

• Foraminal Stenosis
• Sciatica
• Pinched Nerve
• Bone Spurs
• Arthritis of the Spine

At LSI, we use an endoscopic approach to open up the foramen without the need for general anesthesia in an outpatient surgical setting. After IV sedation and a local anesthetic is administered, a small incision is made and a round Depuy tube is put placed into the incision. A series of tubes of increasing size are placed over this first tube, one at a time, to slowly create a small opening to the spine which allows us to perform foraminotomies with minimal damage to the surrounding muscles. The muscles are pushed out of the way and are not torn or cut. The last tube is about 18 millimeters in diameter (about as big as a small marker) and through this working tube we insert the laser, camera, suction, irrigation and other surgical instruments. Once everything is in place, the surgeon can begin removing the bone and tissue compressing the nerve without distress to the patient. Some patients feel immediate relief from back pain during the procedure as the nerve is released.

When the procedure is complete, the tube is slowly removed, allowing the muscles to move back into place. Occasionally, a stitch or two is needed for the incision. After 1 - 2 hours of monitoring, the patient (with a companion) is free to go.

We generally encourage patients to take a long walk the afternoon or evening of their foraminotomy procedure. The patient returns the following day for a postoperative visit to get clearance from the doctor to return home.

Laminotomy used to treat the following conditions that cause back pain:

• Spinal Stenosis
• Bone Spurs
• Arthritis of the Spine
• Herniated Disc
• Bulging Disc
• Nerve Impingement

A laminectomy is a procedure used in traditional open back surgeries that involves removing the lamina to increase the amount of space available for the neural tissue. The term laminectomy is derived from the Latin words lamina (thin plate, sheet, or layer), and -ectomy (removal).

A laminotomy is also a procedure used to remove the ligamentum flavum. The ligamentum flavum is a ligament in the spinal canal that can thicken to the point where it is actually compressing on the spinal cord, attributing to spinal stenosis. Through a laminotomy, the ligament can be removed, therefore opening up the spinal canal and releasing the nerve(s).

At Laser Spine Institute (LSI) we perform laminotomies removing only the scar tissue, bony obstructions, ligamentum flavum and/or herniated/bulging discs causing the nerve impingement, leaving most of the lamina intact. This is done through an endoscopic approach to lamninotomies, opening the spinal canal without the need for general anesthesia in an outpatient surgical setting. After IV sedation and a local anesthetic is administered, a small incision is made and a round Depuy tube is put into the incision. A series of tubes of increasing size are placed over this first tube, one at a time, to slowly create a small opening to the spine which allows us to perform laminotomies with minimal damage to the surrounding muscles. The muscles are pushed out of the way and are not torn or cut. The last tube is about 18 millimeters in diameter (about as big as a small marker) and through this working tube we insert the laser, camera, suction, irrigation and other surgical instruments. Once everything is in place, the surgeon can begin the procedure. Some patients feel immediate relief during the laminotomy as the nerve(s) are released.

When the procedure is complete, the tube is slowly removed, allowing the muscles to move back into place. Occasionally, a stitch or two is needed for the incision.

After 1 - 2 hours of monitoring, the patient (with a companion) is free to go. We encourage patients to take a long walk the afternoon or evening of their laminotomy procedure. The patient returns the following day for a postoperative visit to get clearance from the doctor to return home.

The patient will usually experience relief of chronic back pain during these procedures and after a short postoperative period most patients walk out of the Laser Spine Institute relieved of the pain caused by back conditions.

Facet Thermal Ablation used to treat the following conditions:

• Facet Disease
• Facet Joint Syndrome
• Facet Arthritis
• Facet Hypertrophy
• Degenerative Facet Joints

In general, all of the above terms mean pretty much the same thing - arthritis or degeneration of the facet joint. The facet joint is like any other joint in your body - it has cartilage lining the joint allowing the bone to glide smoothly over one another and a capsule surrounding the joint.

The function of the facet joint is to provide support, stability, and mobility to the vertebrae (spine). There are two facet joints between each vertebra. They are located on each side of the vertebrae. Facet disease can occur at any level of the spine, but are most common in the lumbar region.

At Laser Spine Institute (LSI), we perform Facet Thermal Ablations without the need for general anesthesia in an outpatient surgical setting.

After IV sedation and a local anesthetic is administered, a small incision is made and a round Depuy tube is put into the incision. This tube allows us to perform Facet Thermal Ablations with minimal damage to the surrounding muscles. The muscles are pushed out of the way and are not torn or cut.

This procedure is performed through a small 5mm tube about the size of a straw. The laser, fiber optics and irrigation are all placed in the tube and surgery is performed on the facet joint. The surgeon will use the laser to debride (clean the joint) and deaden the nerve innervating the joint. This procedure takes about 40 minutes and will resolve the pain associated with the facet joint. After 1 -2 hours of monitoring, the patient (with a companion) is free to go.

We generally encourage patients to take a long walk the afternoon or evening of their Facet Thermal Ablation procedure. The patient returns the following day for a postoperative visit to get clearance from the doctor to return home.

Modern medicine has evolved over the years and made incredible strides towards providing minimally invasive treatments for back pain. In the past you could expect a long hospital stay, higher risks of complications and a painful recovery. Laser Spine Institute has revolutionized the process and now, on average, you could be living life relieved of pain within 5 days. With no need for a hospital stay, over thein 5 days, you will undergo preoperative testing, surgery, postoperative consultation and physical therapy. Read more about LSI's amazing 5 day process and realize just how easy it is for you to live a normal life again.

On average, 80% of Americans will feel back pain at some point in their life. You're not going to be the first person to walk through our doors, and you won't be the last. Take a moment and read through a few of our previous patient testimonials to see what kind of an impact LSI can have on your life.

The expert staff at LSI has put together a list of back pain FAQ where they answer some of the most common back pain questions they receive. Feel free to contact us with any questions you still need answered or if you would like to know how LSI can help you reclaim your passion for life and we will gladly provide any assistance we can.