Endoscopic Spine Procedure Overview

Our physicians at The Spine INA have taken the time outside their busy schedules to travel and train with some of the most innovative thought leaders in minimally invasive spine surgery. Our physicians now offer the most innovative and least-invasive spine procedures that address everyday painful conditions that affect patients.

One such innovative solution is endoscopic spine procedures. These new procedures allow the physician to use an endoscope during the procedure to address the pain generator that is the root cause of neck, back, and leg pain. The physician can use many micro-instruments such as a laser or a radiofrequency ablation tool to selectively decompress or ablate the pain generator.

When a patient needs relief from a herniated, protruded, extruded, bulging disc or disc tear that’s compressing and irritating the spinal nerves, endoscopic spine procedures are the least-invasive surgical option available. Instead of turning to traditional or even minimally-invasive spinal surgery methods, such as a laminectomy, microdiscectomy, or spinal fusion, patients should explore the least-invasive option. Endoscopic spine surgery can help relieve pain in the back and legs, addressing painful conditions without the many potential complications and long recovery times associated with traditional surgical methods.

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THE ENDOSCOPIC ADVANTAGES VS. TRADITIONAL SPINAL SURGERY:

The use of an HD camera in endoscopic surgeries give the spinal surgeon a clearer, up-close view of the spinal damage
The surgery utilizes an 1/4 inch incision, resulting in less risk of scarring
Less scar tissue means mobility of the spine is preserved for the patient
No need for general anesthesia
Patients experience less pain after the surgery, so there is less reliance on narcotics
Less recovery time after surgery before you can resume normal activities
Patients can return to their jobs sooner after surgery

TYPES OF ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURES AVAILABLE IN CENTRAL NEW JERSEY

Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy – Relieving the pain associated with herniated, protruding, or bulging discs, an endoscopic discectomy is the least-invasive procedure offered.
1. Used to treat:
  - Herniated discs
  - Bulging discs
  - Protruded discs
  - Extruded discs
2. Using an endoscope to decompress the disc, the doctor relieves the pressure on the spinal nerve causing the patient’s pain.
Endoscopic Foraminalplasty – Relieving pressure on an exiting nerve or on the spinal cord itself from a herniated disc, scar tissue, or bone spurs, the endoscopic foraminalplasty is one of the least invasive procedures available.
1. Used to treat:
2. As the space between the facets of the disc get smaller, the natural opening in the spin for the nerves narrows. This can compress the nerves inside and cause pain. This endoscopic technique uses microscopic surgical instruments to remove some of the bone to open up the foramen. This relieves the pressure on the nerves
Endoscopic Annuloplasty – When patients have tears in the annulus walls of their discs, this procedure can treat the nerves grown into the disc causing pain and provide pain relief without the need for a spinal fusion.
1. Used to treat:
  - Tears in the annular wall of the disc
2. Tears in the annual wall of the disc can cause severe pain as nerves begin to grow in the tears. This procedure allows the doctor to search for these tears using a high-definition camera, then treat them with a laser probe to ablate the nerve and close up the tear, eliminating painful symptoms.
Endoscopic Rhizotomy – For patients suffering from chronic low back pain or muscle spasms, an endoscopic rhizotomy is the least-invasive outpatient procedure that relieves pain.
1. Used to treat:
  - Chronic axial back pain
2. Patients with this condition may be fine with leaning forward, but experience severe pain and spasms when they lean backwards. Candidates for this endoscopic spine surgery may have had temporary relief from a percutaneous medial branch rhizotomy. The spine surgeon will use a probe to ablate the medial branch nerve, providing better long-term results than with a percutaneous rhizotomy.
Endoscopic Laminotomy – This procedure is for patients who have lumbar spinal stenosis and have not responded to conservative treatment.
1. Used to treat:
  - Lumbar spinal stenosis
2. Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows around the spinal cord, putting pressure on the cord and nerves, causing pain. During the procedure, the surgeon will create an opening of the lamina above and below the spinal disc to relieve compression of the nerve.