Why is Endoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery better for me than other surgical options?
Endoscopic surgery is minimally invasive, causes very little blood loss, scarring or scar tissue, plus no hardware or other materials are introduced into your body.
What are the risks of laser spine procedures?
Laser spine surgery complications are low compared to traditional open back surgery, because the procedures require only a small incision, which means general anesthesia can be avoided, plus there is less chance of post-operative infection.
What type of anesthesia is used for these spine procedures?
The patient is sedated and comfortable throughout the spine procedures. After IV sedation, a local anesthetic is administered at the surgical site and intravenous medications are used to make the patient comfortable. Laser spine patients are able to communicate with the surgical team throughout the spine procedure and relate to the team when pain has been alleviated and a nerve impulse is moving the length of the nerve.
I have spinal stenosis or foraminal stenosis, can I be helped?
Yes. Laser spine surgery can remove impingements to the spinal or foraminal canal and free the nerve, thereby relieving the pain and symptoms.
How many spine procedures will I require to solve my back or neck pain?
There is no single answer for this kind of question. During your initial evaluation, it will be determined how many levels of damage you have that are causing symptoms. In most cases, problems are found at multiple levels, but only one or two of them may be causing symptoms. Most patients just need one surgery but many have multiple procedures within that surgery.
Can you help me if I have had failed open back surgery?
A large percentage of patients have had failed back surgery in the past or have new spine conditions due to fusions, scar tissue and hardware. Laser spine procedures can correct most spinal conditions, plus surgeons can remove unwanted hardware that is causing additional spine conditions, and even remove previous scar tissue that could be causing pain.
What medications should I avoid prior to having your laser spine procedures?
Typically, patients need to be completely free of all aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs for two full weeks prior to surgery. These medications and others – such as Coumadin - thin your blood. Obviously, you will give a detailed list of any medications to your surgeon before any procedures.
How soon after surgery can I drive?
Unlike “open back” surgery, you are typically able to drive and get back to daily living within 24 hours of your procedure. Obviously, you are not going to be going straight from the recovery to your vehicle, but the sedation wears off within a day.
If I have cervical surgery, how long will I have to wear a neck collar?
Cervical collars normally need to be worn for the first two weeks after surgery. Patients are instructed to wear the collar if they are sitting or walking for an extended period of time, such as working at a desk or driving in a car.
How is the Laminotomy procedure different from a Laminectomy?
They are very different. A laminectomy is a procedure used in traditional open back surgeries that involves removing the lamina to increase the amount of space available for the neural tissue; this is not a minimally invasive technique. On the other hand, a laminotomy is an endoscopic approach, requiring only a small incision – and without the need for general anesthesia.
General
What do I have to do to find out if I am a candidate for Laser Spine Procedures?
Go to our Contact Us page and give us a call or submit your information and questions by e-mail through our website. One of our patient advocates will contact you at the time and manner in which you request and answer your questions.
If I'm coming from out of town, how long will I have to stay in your area?
This is considered outpatient surgery, so unlike a hospital, there are no overnight facilities. So if you are from out of town, you will need to make necessary arrangements for your stay.
NOTE: There are two pre-op days of testing, the surgery, followed by two days of physical therapy. If a second surgery is needed, the process would repeat. Pre-op testing does not have to be repeated if more surgery is required within a thirty day period. In general, a patient should plan on being in the geographical region of the procedure for one week per surgery.
What are my limitations after laser spine surgery and how long will I be out of work?
Physical therapy begins promptly after your procedure. Patients are recommended to return to normal activities gradually to allow for maximum healing, and are forbidden from lifting heavy objects. Patients that have desk jobs can normally return to work within a few days and patients with physically strenuous jobs should wait six weeks, depending on the job. You may return to work with restrictions for those first six weeks and then return to normal activity there after.
What arrangements do I need to make to have laser spine surgery?
You will need to have someone available for you after your surgery to either drive you home (if you are local) or stay with you at a local hotel (if you are from out of town). Your patient advocate will assist you in making arrangements.
You will need to bring all medications you are currently taking.
Why don't more surgeons use these types of techniques?
These new procedures are difficult to learn and take years of training. They are on the cutting edge of medical technology and LSI is at the forefront of this movement. In the future, these advanced techniques will become the standard of practice for surgical intervention of spinal conditions. Until then, you’ll need to choose only the handful of qualified doctors available.
Will I need someone with me during my trip to the clinic?
Yes, each patient is required to have adequate patient care to accompany them the day of their surgery. A family member or friend of legal age must be present with the patient for the first twenty four hours after surgery.
If a patient is unable to bring anyone with them during their stay, a local nurse must be hired by the patient for the twenty four hour period after surgery.
Are these procedures considered experimental?
No. Thousands of these procedures have been performed successfully for over a decade.
Is my bulging disc or herniation going to be removed?
If a disc is pressing on the spinal cord or on an exiting nerve and symptoms are present, then the portion of the bulging disc or herniation will be removed in order to release the impingement at the necessary level. In most cases, opening or widening the foraminal or spinal canals will alleviate pressure on the nerves without removing any portion of the disc.
How does endoscopic surgery differ from that of what is offered by other surgeons claiming they perform 'laser' techniques?
The most prominent difference between endoscopic and other spinal centers offering "laser" treatment is the way in which the doctor enters the body. There are similarities, but the endoscopic method minimizes trauma to the body, scar tissue formation, and healing time.
Insurance
What are the costs of your laser spine procedures?
Our business department is available to speak with you about your medical benefits and how our services will be billed. We will get a pre-determination of your insurance benefits prior to your visit so that you are better informed of what services will be considered.
Will I be able to know exactly how much reimbursement I will receive from my insurance provider prior to surgery?
Typically, laser spine centers are unable to make any guarantee of the exact amount of reimbursement each patient will get back from their insurance company due to the fact that each insurance company and each insurance plan is different. Our patient advocates and patient coordinators do provide each patient with the appropriate CPT codes that can give each patient an idea of how much reimbursement they may receive from their insurance according to what is usual and customary under their plan.
Workers Compensation
Does work comp pay for the laser spine procedures?
In most cases, worker’s compensation carriers will only pay at state fee schedule rates. The cost of the evaluation and subsequent treatment will need to be approved before the evaluation takes place.
Do I need a referral from my work comp doctor?
Yes, in most states a new facility will need to be recommended with a referral from your treating doctor. You can discuss this with your adjuster or claims examiner.
