The disadvantages of conventional open surgery stem from the size of the incisions necessary to see the work performed. That’s a big reason behind the development of endoscopic surgical techniques. Spine surgeon Sanjay Khurana, MD, specializes in endoscopic approaches, choosing these whenever possible. When you know the benefits offered by endoscopic surgery, you’ll select it too.
While most back pain conditions resolve naturally within three months, possible chronic pain develops in some cases. Your provider may recommend back surgery when other, more conservative treatments fail.
Problems with spinal discs and bone spurs can cause painful problems. These issues take up space needed for nerve tissue to pass through. Nerves can be irritated or compressed, and spinal surgery may treat chronic conditions best.
A sideways curvature of the spine, called scoliosis, can require surgery if it advances to the point where it affects breathing or internal organs. A common cause of lower back pain, spondylolisthesis, occurs when one of your vertebrae shifts out of position or fractures. The vertebrae may need stabilizing with spondylolisthesis surgery.
An endoscope is a flexible tube with a video camera and light source at its tip. Entering the body through a narrow opening, typically a one-half inch or less gives Dr. Khurana a detailed, real-time view of the conditions inside your body.
Special tools needed to perform work may require additional keyhole incisions. These tiny openings offer a range of benefits that make endoscopic surgery the preferred option whenever conditions permit.
Cutting into the body is never taken lightly by a surgeon. Healthy tissue may suffer damage while accessing the location needed to correct the injury. Conventional open surgery often requires such large incisions through muscle tissue that the bulk of recovery time is due to the healing of these incisions rather than the target of the surgery.
Endoscopic surgery eliminates large incisions, which minimizes the cutting of muscles and other healthy soft tissue. Small incisions also mean small scars. You may show few or no signs that you’ve had surgery.
Bleeding during surgery is minimal and easily controlled. You’ll have less postsurgical pain since less tissue is cut, which reduces your need for pain relief. You may need nothing more than the over-the-counter pain medication in your bathroom cabinet.
Instead of a hospital stay to monitor healing progress, many endoscopic patients return home on the day of their procedure. Small incisions also mean a reduced risk of infection.
All this makes for a speedy recovery. Physical therapy to recover from muscle damage is unnecessary. When you add up all the benefits, endoscopic surgery is simply a better way.
To find out if you’re a candidate for an endoscopic procedure, book a consultation with Dr. Khurana by phone or online at the most convenient of our two offices in Marina Del Rey or Manhattan Beach, California. We’re standing by to help you breeze through your back surgery, so schedule an appointment today.
