Over time, there have been numerous advances made in the field of laser spinal surgeries. Because the techniques are so cutting edge, many spine surgeons have differing opinions and experiences with laser spinal surgery. However, given the right surgeon with the right experience, laser spine surgery can be a great way to treat minor spine issues, including spinal stenosis and herniated discs that don't require major traditional surgery techniques. If you’re experiencing symptoms of a minor spinal issue and find yourself wondering, “Does laser spine surgery work?” keep reading to find out if this treatment option is right for you.
What is the Success Rate of Laser Spine Surgery?
There is confusion about where and when laser spine procedures can be used. While laser surgeries don't currently posit a 1:1 replacement with traditional surgeries, there are increasing situations in which they can be equally effective. When applicable, the use of laser spinal surgeries can reduce the number of complications, as well as the recovery time. This makes laser spine surgeries a desirable alternative to traditional treatment methods.
While more and more people are becoming curious about laser spine surgery because of its benefits, it's important to educate prospective patients on the pros and cons of this alternative to traditional surgery. As with other minimally invasive procedures, it can only be used effectively in specific situations, in which numerous pros and cons are applicable.
Understanding Your Treatment Options
Considering back surgery can be a pretty heavy issue—one which the patient will certainly want to have been advised of any available alternatives beforehand. While laser surgery isn't always appropriate as an alternative to traditional surgery, there are situations in which it can be just as effective while providing fewer risks and a faster recovery.
One common question patients have is whether or not laser spinal surgeries truly work. Of course, laser surgeries haven’t completely replaced traditional surgeries yet, but they are coming to equal terms in many applications.
Laser spine surgery certainly isn't for every patient, but it provides a beneficial alternative for many. If you're suffering from a herniated disc or damaged nerves on the spinal cord, laser surgery may be able to get the job done to an equally effective degree as traditional methods, with minimal pain, time, and costs involved.
When Is Performing Laser Surgery a Good Alternative?
The most important part of understanding whether or not laser spine surgery will work for you is understanding your own specific needs. This is something the internet can't answer for you. Laser spine surgery won't fix everything immediately, and there are still many situations where traditional methods, or other forms of minimally invasive spine surgery, may be preferable to the newer laser methods. Of course, when considering a procedure of this nature, asking your doctor is always the best way to go!
Does Laser Spine Surgery Work for a Herniated Disc?
While there are plenty of spinal issues for which laser spine surgery might not work, such as degenerative spine diseases, a herniated disc is a problem that laser spine surgery can easily solve. There is no need to undergo intensive traditional spine surgery if you are suffering from a herniated disc, as laser surgery can get the job done equally well with minimal amounts of pain involved.
Is Laser Surgery Painful?
Laser spinal surgery is a process that allows the surgeon to take advantage of cutting-edge medical laser technology to perform the surgery. The surgeon will remove portions of the soft tissue that is compressing the nerves around the spine—an issue that can also be the result of ligament enlargement or a herniated disc. This type of procedure would normally be performed invasively, using intensive procedures to remove an otherwise small amount of disc tissue. The benefits that using the minimally invasive techniques of laser surgery pose are numerous, including smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, and faster recovery time. Of course, this can also result in greatly reducing the pain post-op.
When Is Laser Spine Surgery Better Than Traditional Methods?
As we've discussed, there are currently many situations, such as degenerative spine diseases, in which traditional spinal surgeries are preferable to laser spine surgery alternatives. However, in situations for which laser surgeries are applicable, they can be greatly beneficial. Here's a look at some of the pros and cons involved in laser spinal surgeries:
Pros
- Faster recovery time
- Reduced blood loss
- Reduced cost
Cons
- Longer recovery time
- Increased risk of inadequate operation
- May not be applicable in all situations
- More expensive
Although laser surgery can be easier to perform overall than traditional techniques, that also means it can be more apt to misuse. Increased availability means that more people are able to have the surgery, which could mean that not everyone who's doing it is as qualified as you would like your spine surgeon to be. While working with a trained laser surgeon can be even more safe than going under the knife for a traditional procedure, working with an unpracticed technician could result in increased nerve damage when compared to traditional surgery techniques.
It's important to remember that all you need to perform spinal surgery is a medical license, which means that you don't necessarily need to be a trained surgeon. This makes the importance of tracking down someone who is experienced with laser spinal surgical techniques an absolute must. In the right hands, laser spine surgery can be a great alternative.
How Long Is the Recovery Time for Laser Spine Surgery Techniques?
The recovery time for laser spine surgery is generally less than 6 weeks, whereas the recovery time for traditional spinal surgeries is around 3-6 months. So while laser alternatives aren't always appropriate, spinal issues where they are applicable can be much more easily treated with this procedure. Although they won't always be the best choice for your symptoms, laser surgical techniques will generally allow patients a much faster recovery time with fewer complications.
Texas Spine Center - Your Houston Laser Spine Surgeon
Although laser spine surgery may not be a suitable treatment for everyone, it does present a much more accessible option for individuals with spinal disorders who don't want to face the risks associated with traditional spine surgeries. Though the outcomes of these different surgical methods can be equal in success-level, the risk is typically reduced by a wide margin in patients for whom the laser procedure is a viable option.
At Texas Spine Center, we offer minimally invasive spinal surgical procedures performed by an award-winning surgical team to help you find relief from your back pain now. If you’re experiencing symptoms of a herniated disc or another spinal injury and still wondering, “Does laser spine surgery work?” contact us today to talk to our team about which procedure is the best option for your symptoms!
