Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal through which the spinal cord runs and often does not cause any problem. However, in some cases, it is progressive and comes to compress the nerve roots, which causes intense pain in the leg. It is the most frequent reason for back surgery between over 65 years.
Unlike the antiquated “open” back surgery, there is laser spine surgery, which does not require hospitalisation because it is minimally invasive, allowing patients to experience much less trauma. Patients who undergo this surgery can return to work and start their daily activities a lot more quickly than patients who have had “open” back surgeries.
Laser spine surgery is aimed at increasing the space for spinal nerves by shring bulging discs that may be impinging on nerves.
The technique uses a needle to deliver laser energy into the disc.
Laser in Spinal Stenosis
Surgeons use lasers to remove portions of soft tissue that can compress nerves, such as ligament enlargement or herniated discs. However, lasers are only appropriate for certain conditions. They can help surgeons remove either tumors from the spinal cord or soft tissue from around a nerve. Lasers may also be best for shrinking disc material around a nerve.
During Endoscopic Laser Foraminoplasty the anterior epidural space may be explored by means of flexible steerable endoscopes. Sidefiring and forward firing laser fibres may be passed down these endoscopes and thus anterior epidural space surgery may be treated, scarring resected and protrusions and extrusions and sequestra removed.