Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Endoscopic spine surgery can be used for a variety of conditions. But it is most useful for patients with disk protrusions — especially foraminal and extraforaminal disk protrusions — where our standard approach would involve more removal of supportive bony structures. The truly minimally invasive approach with endoscopy results in fewer permanent biomechanical alterations following elective spinal surgery.

Historical Context and Growing Interest

Although endoscopic spine surgery was first performed decades ago, it has garnered increasing interest, due to recent innovations in endoscopic tools.

The most obvious potential benefit of endoscopy is less collateral damage to the surrounding tissues of the spinal column. That generally means a shorter recovery period. Patients potentially need less pain medication and can return to activities more quickly.

Although useful for any age group, endoscopic spine surgery eventually might offer particular benefits for older individuals. Over time, as we are able to do more of these procedures without general anesthesia, we can avoid some of the ill effects of anesthesia on an aging population as well as causing less scar tissue.

As the population ages, endoscopic spine surgery in India also might prove more cost effective.

Minimally Invasive Approach and Its Benefits

In our endoscopic spine surgery, there is no muscle dissection, no removal of the bone, and we don’t need to make a large incision in your skin. Because of that, there is less risk of scarring, infection, blood loss, or complications from anesthesia. Endoscopic discectomy was invented as a least-invasive interventional pain management procedure that effectively treats herniated discs while lowering the risks involved with traditional surgeries.

The advantage of an endoscopic spine procedure is that your surgeon only needs to make a ¼ inch incision. That means the muscles of the middle of your back are spared, which results in less recovery time and fewer risks for complications.

Advantages of Endoscopic Discectomy Include:

• 90% or higher success rates

• HD cameras are used to give the surgeon a better view of the damage in the area

• No spinal fusion is necessary

• Minimal incision size of just 1/4 inch reduces the risk of scarring

• Spinal mobility is preserved because there is less scarring and tearing of muscle tissue
• Less risk for large amount of blood loss

• Conscious sedation means there is no need for general anesthesia

• Less recovery time

• Less pain during recovery means less dependence on narcotic pain medication

• You can resume normal activities sooner

What Is the Endoscopic Discectomy Recovery Time?

The time of recovery for the endoscopic discectomy procedure depends on the type of work you do.

For people who do office work and other kinds of sedentary jobs, the time of recovery is usually one to two weeks. For more active people, like athletes and those who move around more often during their regular workday, the time of recovery may be four to six weeks.

During the recovery period, you’ll need to participate actively in a physical therapy program. Physical therapy will help you recover and return to your regular activities faster. Some patients may also be required to take pain relievers during the recovery period.

How long is the recovery and how soon can you return to work?

An endoscopic discectomy takes about an hour. You shouldn’t experience a great deal of pain afterward but may feel a little sore. You don’t even have to worry about stitches; your incision will simply be covered with a band-aid. It takes about an hour to recover from the procedure in our outpatient surgical facility and then you can go home. After that, you’ll need to see how your body responds to the surgery. Most patients feel better right away and can return to work in a couple days. It’s important to listen to your body and discuss your symptoms with your doctor to ensure you are ready to resume normal activities. Avoid heavy lifting until your doctor gives you the okay, even if you feel fine.

FAQs:

1. What conditions can be treated with endoscopic spine surgery?
   
   Endoscopic spine surgery is commonly used to treat disk protrusions, herniated discs, and other spinal conditions that require minimally invasive intervention, offering benefits like reduced scarring and faster recovery times.
2. How does endoscopic spine surgery differ from traditional spine surgery?
   
   Endoscopic spine surgery is less invasive, involving smaller incisions and no muscle dissection, which reduces recovery time, lowers the risk of complications, and preserves spinal mobility compared to traditional open surgeries.
3. What is the typical recovery time after endoscopic spine surgery?
   
   Recovery time varies based on the patient’s activity level and the specific procedure, but it typically ranges from one to six weeks. Office workers may return to work within one to two weeks, while more physically active individuals may need up to six weeks.