ULTRA Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Spine Surgery
ULTRA MINIMALLY INVASIVE ENDOSCOPIC SPINE SURGERY
ULTRA Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery is performed via a sub-centimeter incision through which a narrow camera is inserted. This minimizes disruption of the muscle and other important stabilizing structures.
The surgeon is able to view the spine and surgical area while viewing the spine on a high-definition monitor throughout the surgery. Patients often experience immediate relief of their sciatica-type symptoms and are comfortably home within hours of surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a Candidate for Endoscopic Spine Surgery?
- Endoscopic spine surgery is best used for removing pressure from nerves.
- Indicators you might be a candidate for ULTRA Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery are nerve compression, which typically causes pain, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness in the arms or legs. Patients may have been told they need traditional decompression surgeries such as microdiscectomy, laminectomy, or foraminotomy.
- While these surgeries can provide relief, ULTRA Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery offers a solution that is easier on the spine and the body as a whole. At Texas Back Institute, our surgeons consider all options to identify the least invasive treatment for each individual patient.
Where in the Spine Can Endoscopic Spine Surgery Be Used?
- ULTRA Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery can be used anywhere in the spine:
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- Low back conditions: Nerve compression most commonly occurs in the low back (lumbar spine) and can be alleviated via endoscopic discectomy, laminectomy, and/or foraminotomy.
- Neck conditions: Similar issues frequently arise in the neck (cervical spine) and are often treated with cervical fusion or disc replacement. However, an endoscopic cervical foraminotomy can provide excellent pain relief with rapid recovery and no need for the implantation of prosthetic devices.
- Upper back conditions: There is less motion in the upper back (thoracic spine) so pinching of nerves by disc herniation or bone spurs in this location are less common. In such cases, endoscopic spine surgery offers a minimally invasive spine surgery alternative to the large surgeries that are often necessary to address issues in this region of the spine.
When Should I Consider Endoscopic Spine Surgery?
- Surgery should be considered for patients who continue to experience pain despite non-operative treatment options.
- In the majority of cases, non-surgical measures are successful at alleviating neck and back issues. Some of these conservative care spine treatments include physical therapy, non-narcotic medications, and/or ESI, facet, trigger point, and other injections.
- When symptoms significantly impact the quality of your life, despite non-operative care, it is worth consulting with a spinal surgeon. However, consulting with a spine surgeon does not necessarily mean surgery will be recommended. There may be other options for relief.
- If surgery is ultimately recommended, patients can benefit by seeking out surgeons skilled in advanced techniques such as endoscopic spine surgery.
How Long Does Endoscopic Spine Surgery Take?
While significant variability exists based on the location within the spine, the complexity of the issue, and the number of levels being addressed, many endoscopic spine procedures are completed in an hour or less.
How Long Is Recovery after Endoscopic Spine Surgery?
Patients are typically out of the hospital an hour or two after completion of the procedure:
- One of the major benefits of endoscopic spine surgery is the rapid recovery time.:
- ULTRA Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery addresses the spinal problem without producing the collateral damage inherent to traditional spine surgery.
- As a result, patients typically experience immediate and substantial improvement in their sciatica without the substantial surgical pain associated with more invasive techniques.
- They are comfortably home within hours of surgery, and many require no pain medicine whatsoever.
- Patients do not wear a brace after surgery and are encouraged to resume low-impact activities as soon as they are comfortable doing so… even the day of surgery if they feel up to it.
- Most are back at work within days of the procedure.