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Endoscopic spine procedures use tiny incisions, specialized video cameras, and custom tools to perform surgeries with minimal damage to healthy tissue surrounding the spine. Reducing tissue disruption leads to faster recovery than standard surgery and lowers the risk of infection.
Minimally invasive surgery is growing in popularity thanks to the advantages it offers. Many common spine conditions can now be treated through endoscopy.
Dr. Aqib Zehri of Portland, Oregon, is a leading practitioner of endoscopic spine procedures. Make us your first call for the finest in minimally invasive neurosurgery in the Portland area.
An overview of endoscopy
The endoscope is the tool central to endoscopic surgery. Requiring only a tiny keyhole incision, the endoscope provides Dr. Zehri with a magnified view of the surgical work area.
Sometimes, surgical tools use the same access as the endoscope; other times, additional keyhole incisions may be needed. All tools that enter the body in an endoscopic procedure are small and specialized.
The benefits of endoscopic techniques include:
- Reduced pain after surgery
- Minimal blood loss
- Less chance of infection
- Smaller scars
- Faster recovery and return to normal activities
In some cases, traditional open surgery required a longer recovery from incisions made in healthy tissue than for actual surgical work.
Conditions treated with endoscopic spine procedures
A number of common back surgeries can be done endoscopically, and the field continues to develop. Conditions currently treated include:
Herniated discs
One of the spine conditions most commonly treated endoscopically is a herniated disc. Ruptures in the shell of the disc can compress nearby nerves, causing symptoms such as back pain, neck pain, and sciatica.
Endoscopic discectomy relieves pressure on nerve tissue, leading to symptom reduction.
Spinal stenosis
Stenosis is a medical term that means narrowing. In the spine, stenosis refers specifically to passageways through which nerve tissue passes that become smaller and compress or irritate nerves.
This condition can cause leg pain when you walk, muscle weakness, or numbness. Endoscopic decompression frees the affected nerve.
Facet joint conditions
Natural aging can lead to the formation of cysts and bone spurs on the facet joints, the stabilizing hinges at the back of your spine. Facet joint cysts don’t always cause symptoms, but they can grow large enough to cause nerve compression and associated problems.
Similarly, facet joint bone spurs may also be asymptomatic. Caused by arthritis, these calcium deposits cause pain, stiffness, and nerve compression. Cysts and spurs can be treated with endoscopic procedures.
Foraminal stenosis
A particular type of narrowing where the nerve roots leave the spinal cord to run through the body, foraminal stenosis causes the big three of nerve compression: radiating pain, numbness and tingling, and muscle weakness. Endoscopic foraminotomy is a potential treatment.
Not all spine conditions are suitable for endoscopic treatment. Find out more by contacting Dr. Aqib Zehri and his team, online or by phone, today.