Facts and Misconceptions about Laser Spine Surgery

P atients who suffer from back pain often get confused when they hear about laser spine surgery because many myths are surrounding the treatment. Some of them think if a doctor recommends the surgery; it means they do not have an incision. But, this is not the truth. A laser is a safe surgical device that doctors use by placing it into the most suitable part of the body via an incision. Studies have shown that the instrument can be inserted through an endoscope, a minimally invasive tubular retractor, or an incredibly large open incision to produce the desired results. The surgeon will refer to all these cases as laser spine surgery. Another common misconception is that laser spine operation is an ideal treatment for arthritis and stenosis. Medical research has established that spinal arthritis is incurable. This condition involves the wearing away of the cartilage surface and once it wears out; it does not grow again leading to inflammation around the facet joints and back pain. Besides, it makes the facet joint to thicken and facilitates the formation of bone spurs, which ultimately leads to the narrowing of the spinal canal, a condition that is known within the medical fraternity as stenosis. Arthritis also leads to leg pain as it causes pressure on the spinal nerves.With the appreciation that the laser used in spinal surgery cannot cut bones, it becomes apparent that the treatment is not a cure for the two health conditions. Laser, however, can be used to perform facet joint nerve ablation, which is an approved technique for reducing back pain. It is a method that involves using laser energy to ablate the endings of nerves that supply the facet joints. Surgeons can also use a technique known as radio frequency nerve ablation which does not involve the utilization of a laser to realize the same purpose. Everyone should note that success cannot be guaranteed with any surgery technique that one chooses. The belief that some treatment options are perfect is a misconception. Laser spine surgery is, nonetheless, a safe surgical procedure that doctors use by placing the laser into the most suitable part of the body via an incision, but it cannot cure arthritis and stenosis. [Photo: flickr.com]