Arthroscopic Spine Surgery

spinal stenosis

Arthroscopic spine surgery is a laser treatment done for spine disorders. This surgery is minimally invasive and requires only local anesthesia. The surgery procedure involves using a lot of fiber optic devices to examine the infected spine area. The procedure followed is completely outpatient and requires minimal incisions. Arthroscopic spine surgery is done by making a small incision through which a small tube is entered to test the damaged parts.

Extra tubes are entered through the same incision, and the last inserted tube has a diameter of 18mm. The operating surgeon moves out all the other inserted tubes once the last inserted tube is placed in right position. Gradually enlarging the tubes will make the muscles and skin to enlarge with reduced trauma. The surgery is performed by the last inserted tube, through which the surgeon insert the fiber optic lasers and camera to perform the operation.

Arthroscopic spine surgery is of four main types. They are foraminotomy, laminotomy, percutaneous arthroscopic discectomy, and facet thermal ablation. Foraminotomy is a treatment done for sciatica, spinal arthritis, bone spurs, foraminal stenosis, pinched nerves, nerve root compression, scar tissue, and herniated discs. This procedure is done to remove the tissue and bone that compresses the spinal root.

Laminotomy procedure is done for treating spinal arthritis, bone spurs, pinched nerves, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, scar tissue, and ligamantum flavum removal. This procedure helps in removing a lamina section, a plate that covers nerves and spinal canal on every vertebra. The main aim of this surgery is to create more space around the spinal cord and to decrease the pressure created on the nerves.

Percutaneous arthroscopic discectomy is a treatment for herniated discs and spinal bulging. In this procedure, the bulging and herniated disc is removed to reduce the compression on the spine and nerves. The laser used in this treatment evaporates the affected part. Facet thermal ablation is a treatment for facet degeneration, facet joint syndrome, facet arthritis, and facet hypertrophy. This surgery blunts the pain causing nerves.

Arthroscopy is a highly streamlined treatment for spinal disorders. Thus, this treatment helps in gentle handling of tissue and skin near the affected area. The incision made is small, and so it does not leave any trace of operation. The recovery rate is faster than the traditional spine treatment and the surgery takes only 45 minutes on an average. The success rate of this surgery is more than 90 percent and before this treatment the patients should consult with their physician about any medication.