Treating Spinal Stenosis with Endoscopic Spine Surgery
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Spinal stenosis occurs when the nerve pathways 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.
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 rare tumors.
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 and can make walking painfully difficult. Other leg symptoms include numbness, tingling, feelings of hot or cold, weakness, and heaviness or fatigue. Symptoms in the neck are similar affecting the upper body.
Visit Laser Spine Institute's website to learn more about spinal stenosis.
Endoscopic Spine Surgery
Although many patients respond well to different types of non-surgical treatment including pain management, sometimes spine surgery is recommended. Instead of traditional open neck or back surgery, some patients are candidates for minimally invasive endoscopic procedures.
Laser Spine Institute's minimally invasive procedures are the safe and effective alternative to open back or neck surgery. Each month, more people come to Laser Spine Institute to relieve their back and neck pain than any other spine surgery center in the nation.
Post-operative Recovery
When the endoscopic spine surgical procedure is complete, the patient is monitored for one to two hours before being released to go home. The patient will return the next day for post-operative follow-up appointment 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!
Visit Laser Spine Institute's website to learn more about their unique recovery process.
