Patients’ Guide To

Laser Spine Surgery

Spinal stenosis occurs when the nerve pathways, the neuroforamen or, the spinal canal becomes narrow. Bone spurs (osteophytes) or disc material from a bulging or herniated disc can irritate, pinch, entrap spinal nerves, or create pressure within the spinal canal affecting the spinal cord. Lumbar spinal stenosis is more common.

Common Causes

Aging is a common cause of spinal stenosis. It causes the body’s ligaments to thicken, including ligaments in the spine. Small bony growths called osteophytes may develop on spinal bones and invade the spinal canal. Other age-related structural changes lead to disc deterioration and enlargement of the spine’s facet joints.

Spinal stenosis can be congenital, which means it is present at birth. Sometimes a structural deformity in the spine causes the neuroforamen or spinal canal to be too narrow.

Conditions associated with spinal stenosis include degenerative disc disease (bulging, herniated disc), osteoarthritis or spondylosis, trauma, and tumors (rare).

Common Symptoms

Lumbar spinal stenosis is common. Pain may be felt in the low back and legs; some patients experience sciatica. Stenosis may affect the nerves that control muscle power and feeling in the legs. This can make walking painfully difficult. Other leg symptoms include numbness, tingling, feelings of hot or cold, weakness, and heaviness or fatigue. Neck symptoms are similar, except the upper body is affected.

Laser Spine Surgery

Although many patients respond well to different types of non-surgical treatment, sometimes spine surgery is recommended. Instead of traditional open neck or back surgery, some patients are candidates for minimally invasive laser-assisted procedures. Typically, a foraminotomy and/or laminotomy are performed to treat the cause of spinal stenosis.

These laser spine procedures remove the bone spur, disc, or other tissue pressing against a nerve or the spinal cord. This is called decompression. When the nerve passageway, or spinal canal is enlarged by removing unwanted tissue, the nerve or spinal cord is decompressed. When the neural structures are free of compression, pain and symptoms are reduced or disappear.

Post-operative Recovery

When the laser spine surgical procedure is complete, the patient is monitored for 1 to 2 hours before being released to go home. The patient is encouraged to walk the afternoon or evening of their procedure and returns the next day for post-operative follow-up and medical clearance to return home. Physical therapy and a home exercise program are recommended to build strength and flexibility. A regular exercise routine not only benefits long-term back health, but is a great way to stay healthy and in shape!