Definition of Decompression Surgery

Decompression surgery is a procedure aimed at releasing neural compression that is caused by anatomical abnormalities in the spine. These abnormalities can be caused by injury, illness, the natural degenerative process, or congenital defects, among others. If you are suffering from neural compression and are considering spine surgery, it is important to keep in mind that there are a variety of different decompression procedures available.

Types of Decompression Surgeries

Decompression surgeries vary in the level of invasiveness required to access the spine and remove those portions of the spinal anatomy that are causing neural compression.

• Highly invasive – this type of decompression surgery requires general anesthesia, hospitalization, and a fairly arduous rehabilitation. A surgeon accesses a large portion of the spine through an anterior or posterior incision, then removes parts of the vertebrae or intervertebral discs that are exerting pressure on the spinal nerve.
• Minimally invasive – this type of procedure is performed on an outpatient basis with the use of local anesthesia and deep IV sedation. Through a small incision, an endoscope is inserted that allows the surgeon to view the surgical site on a video monitor without having to open up the entire spine. A series of tubes funnel surgical instruments to the site of compression without requiring surrounding muscles or ligaments to be dissected.

Conservative Treatments to Try Before Any Surgical Procedure

If a degenerative condition like a herniated disc or bulging disc is causing painful neural compression, your doctor will likely suggest that you attempt a regimen of conservative treatment before decompression surgery becomes an option. Possible treatments include behavior modification, pain medication, heat therapy, gentle yoga, and low-impact exercises. In the event that these methods prove ineffective, consider contacting Laser Spine Institute. Our minimally invasive decompression procedures utilize state-of-the-art endoscopic technology. Contact us to find out more and receive a complimentary review of your MRI or CT scan.