What is laser surgery? | AllSpine Laser & Surgery Centers

What Exactly Is Laser Surgery and How Does It Relieve Pain?

Hand pointing on screen with X-rays of the spine. close up

If you are suffering from an injury to your spine or have a herniated disc or tumor that is causing you pain, you are likely looking into different treatment options. Depending on your condition, you may be considering laser surgery.

There is a lot of information floating around (and some misinformation) regarding laser treatments for spine injuries and pain. A person’s spine is vital to nearly everything they do, so it’s important for patients to fully understand the risks and potential benefits before committing to any procedures.

What are the Different Types of Back Surgery?

There are many types of back surgeries and treatments with drastically different degrees of risk. Invasive surgical procedures are generally considered the riskiest while minimally invasive and non-invasive treatments, like pain management injections, are less risky. Examples of common back surgery treatments include:

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty
Spinal laminectomy / spinal decompression
Discectomy
Foraminotomy
Nucleoplasty or plasma disk decompression
Spinal fusion
Artificial disk replacement

What Is Laser Spine Surgery?

Laser surgery uses special beams of light for surgical treatment instead of traditional instruments. During laser treatment your skin can either reflect the beam of light away, scatter the light, absorb it or let the light pass through to different layers of skin. Different parts of your body will react to the beams of laser light differently depending on the type of laser used and the duration, frequency and wavelength of exposure.

Chromophores in your skin absorb the light and react in different ways depending on the surgeon’s laser settings. During laser back surgery, a laser is used to remove or shrink portions of tissue that are causing discomfort. The unique properties of minimally invasive laser surgery allow the procedure to be performed without cutting, scarring or general anesthesia, which negates many of the risks commonly associated with traditional surgical procedures.

When compared with traditional spinal surgery, laser spine surgery has a much shorter and easier recovery time.

Every patient’s condition is unique, so it’s important to discuss your situation with a spine specialist before getting your heart set on a non-invasive solution. At AllSpine Laser and Surgery Center, we carefully balance our patient’s desire for minimally invasive solutions with the reality of what will be the most effective treatment option for their condition.

What Type of Laser Spine Therapies Are Available at AllSpine Laser and Surgery Center?

Our skilled surgeons perform laser herniated disc surgery. A surgeon uses an X-ray to precisely guide a needle, which contains the laser, to the compressed spinal disc. The laser heats the inner nucleus of the disc to evaporate it, relieving the pressure on the irritated spinal nerves that are causing pain. Once the bulging nucleus has been evaporated and the disc has been restored to its proper size, it will relieve the pressure on the nerves.

One of the biggest benefits of laser surgeries is the speed of recovery. Because there are no incisions or anesthesia there’s no long recovery period or inconvenient wound care instructions to follow. You’ll be able to return to work or your daily routine quickly.

Why Do Herniated Discs Cause Pain?

When a disc is herniated, it bulges out of its normal confines, putting excessive pressure on sensitive spinal nerves. This pressure can result in significant pain, leg weakness, numbness and other symptoms that can negatively affect your ability to perform daily activities, work or live comfortably.

Laser therapy treatments can be used as a stand-alone treatment, or they can be combined with rehabilitative exercises for an even greater effect. Make sure to discuss post-operative care with your doctor and carefully follow any additional treatment steps to maximize your pain-relieving results.

Minimally Invasive Laser and Surgery Spine Treatment in Georgia

If you are suffering from back pain caused by a herniated disc, consider consulting with the team at AllSpine Laser and Surgery Center. We have multiple locations in Georgia to make seeking non-invasive treatment for herniated discs easier.

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