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Laser Spine Surgery

If you’ve been considering disc surgery, it’s time to learn about laser spine surgery from the highly trained doctors at The Spine Center of Louisiana. Laser spine surgery is a non-invasive way to correct a variety of spinal issues. With convenient locations in Baton Rouge, Hammond, and Covington, Louisiana, you can count on the team at The Spine Center of Louisiana. Call or schedule an online consultation today—and get your spine back in shape again.

Laser devices have been available for use in spine surgery for many years. However, it is not until recently through the process of improved instruments and techniques that laser use has become more realistic. Laser is a device that generates a very narrow, intense, and highly concentrated beam of light. When combined with current minimally invasive techniques, laser technology gives us yet another tool to effectively treat spine related conditions.

Laser devices can be used with endoscopic or minimally invasive tools to ablate disc herniations in order to alleviate nerve related leg pain, seal the outer layer of the disc to prevent recurrent problems with the spine, and to ablate the facet joints of the spine to alleviate back pain. In addition, laser devices are now being used in minimally invasive fusion procedures to facilitate spinal decompression.

The Spine Center of Louisiana has always taken pride in being on the cutting edge of minimally invasive spine surgery techniques. We have employed minimally invasive techniques such as percutaneous fusions, endoscopic discectomies, rhizotomies, and other surgeries for many years. Additionally, we have continued to train in and develop the latest procedures in minimally invasive spine surgeries.

Spinal laser devices are still relatively rare and are found only in a small number of cities throughout the United States. The Spine Hospital of Louisiana recently became the only facility within 1500 miles of Baton Rouge to own and operate a laser device for the use in spinal surgery. We are now able to utilize this technology to facilitate minimally invasive spine procedures. This allows further advancements of these techniques and offers Baton Rouge and Louisiana technology that was previously not available in this region.

Laser Spine Surgery Q & A

How does laser surgery differ from open surgery?

Laser spine surgery requires only a small incision, and uses a laser as a surgical tool. The laser allows for pinpoint precision, far more than traditional surgical instruments ever could.

In open surgery, the incision is much larger and the doctor must pull the muscles away from the spine to reach the surgery site. Open surgery is much more invasive overall. With laser surgery, there is less bleeding, less pain, a shorter stay in the hospital and shorter recovery time overall.

What kinds of laser spine surgery are possible?

There are many different ways that laser spine surgery can correct spinal issues. Discectomy removes a disc. It is usually followed up by a fusion, which adds stability to the spine.

Another common laser spine surgery is a disc replacement, which places a prosthetic disc in place of the damaged one.

Other options include:

Degenerative disc laser surgery
Bulging disc surgery
Slipped disc surgery
Micro disc surgery
Fragmented disc surgery

What should I expect before laser spine surgery?

Your doctor will want to know about your overall health, whether you smoke, and any medications or supplements you’re taking. You’ll be asked to stop taking blood thinning medications, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and similar drugs.

You may need to undergo blood tests or imaging scans. Scans can help your doctor assess the area that’s being treated, including bones, nerves, and soft tissues. Typical imaging tests include simple X-rays and more high-definition technologies like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The night before your surgery, you’ll need to refrain from eating or drinking. The day of your surgery, be sure to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.

What should I expect after laser spine surgery?

After laser spine surgery, you’ll have a fairly short hospital stay. While 2-3 days is typical, the length of time varies according to your overall condition and the complexity of the surgery. As you recover at home, they your doctor provides prescription and non-prescription medications to help you feel comfortable.

Recovery is easiest and fastest when you closely follows the doctor’s instructions. You may be prescribed exercises and sometimes a physical therapy program as you move through the recovery process.

Most people are able to go back to many of the activities that they enjoy within just a few weeks. As you recover from laser spine surgery, it’s important to be cautious about exercise and strenuous movement. As long as you adhere to to your discharge instructions carefully, laser spine surgery should bring you long term relief.

colorful graphic of a person and and inflamed spine and brain.

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