What is Laser Spine Surgery?

Laser spine surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that treats many painful conditions of the spine. This procedure does not require the spinal canal to be opened up; the surgery is done through small incisions made in the spine that are approximately less than a 1/2 of an inch. Consequently, blood loss is also minimal.

Complications of the spine can cause chronic and sometimes debilitating back, leg and neck pain. When it comes to several common disorders of the spine, laser surgery can prove to be a very effective treatment option. Sciatica, arthritis, herniated discs, annual tears, foraminal narrowing, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and scar tissue formation are some spinal conditions that lend itself to successful treatment through laser spine surgery. Local anesthesia and mild sedation is all that is required for spine laser surgery. Since general anesthesia is not used, anesthetic complications are also minimized.

Conditions like bulging or herniated disc can be successfully treated using the laser spine surgery procedure called Foraminotomy. Bone spurs, scar tissue, foraminal stenosis and nerve root compression can also be treated using this procedure. Bone spurs usually make their appearance as a person ages. The bone in the spinal cord enlarges causing neck and back pain. Sometimes, scar tissue forms as a result of previous open spinal surgeries. This causes pressure to be applied on the nerves and typically causes pain in the back or legs.

Open vs. Endoscopic Laser Spine Surgery

Traditionally, surgeons have used large incisions to treat many disorders of the spine. When the incisions are large, the patients need to be hospitalized for a long time and the recuperation process is also quite lengthy and painful. Arthroscopy is a procedure that has long been utilized to operate on the knee and shoulder. For treating diseases of the spine, laser surgery using the same endoscopic technique has proven to be highly effective.

Open spine surgery is way too invasive and destructive in its approach for the problem that is being treated. It causes more collateral damage and scar tissue leading to future problems.

Laser spine surgery uses a tiny incision to insert a small tube into the spinal cord. Larger tubes are placed on top of the small tube thereby gently dilating the skin and muscle without tearing them. Once the final tube is in place, the other tubes are removed and a fiber optic camera, lasers and other microscopic equipment are inserted into the tube to operate on the spine.

This type of laser spine surgery minimizes damage to soft tissue and muscles. Patients experience significantly less bleeding during surgery and the recovery is much speedier as compared to the traditional highly invasive surgical procedures. Larger incisions also carry the risk of scar formation which can cause other spinal problems to surface after the surgery, so the patient is often back to where he started. Laser spine surgery results in minimal scar tissue formation, often negligible.

Where your pain ends, your new life begins

If you suffer from chronic back or neck pain, you know how limited your life can be. You’re no longer able to enjoy even the simplest activities—let alone the sports, pastimes or hobbies you love—because the discomfort they bring is unbearable. It’s time to get your life back. With our innovative diagnostic methods and minimally invasive techniques, the Center for Laser Spine Surgery (CLSS) can pinpoint and, most importantly, eliminate the source of your pain. Within a few days, you’ll be back on your feet and enjoying all those activities you enjoy most.

Maximum results. Minimal recovery.

Lead by the skilled hands of Jose Rodriguez, M.D., CLSS specializes in endoscopic laser spine surgery, an outpatient procedure that achieves maximum results with minimal recovery. Conducted through a small incision of 3/4 of an inch or less, our surgery causes much less disruption to the body than traditional “open spine” procedures. In short, you will require much less time to heal and—the ultimate goal—recover.

With access to up-to-the-minute microscopic laser technology and techniques, CLSS can offer you the most accelerated surgical and treatment options available in our field. If you’re ready to end your back or neck pain—and start your new life—contact CLSS today