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Laser Spine Surgery is Right for You
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Laser Spine Surgery
Minimally Invasive Laser Spine Surgery is now a possibility with advances in modern medicine, however, most spine surgeons unfortunately aren't yet able to perform this innovative technique.
See why Laser Spine Surgery is unlike other typical treatments and how it has changed the lives of thousands.
Can it change your life?
Track Record
Laser Spine Surgery has a great success rate treating spine disorders from herniated discs, bulging discs, spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis, spinal arthritis, sciatica, bone spurs and many other spine conditions. Many patients are referred by past clients.Are you a good candidate for Laser Spine Surgery?
Success Rates of Back Surgery Types
Understanding the success rates of your surgical treatment options is important to have accurate expectations for the outcome of your surgery. Further, the success rate is influenced by the amount of nerve damage you may have, if you have had any prior surgeries, proper selection of the patient, skill of the surgeon, general health of the patient, and the part of the spine the surgery will occur. Keep this in mind when looking at the success rates of the different procedures.
A successful surgery is defined as an operation that results in complete or significant improvement upon a condition and would be rated as good or excellent by the patient. An unsuccessful surgery would be one which left the patient's condition unchanged or worse than it was before and is referred to as a failed back surgery.
Basically, there are six main types of surgical procedures;
Minimally invasive laser surgery can normally be performed for a Diskectonmy, Laminotomy, and Foraminotomy procedures. Go to the bottom of the page here to see studies on the success rate of minimally invasive laser surgery. Contact a Patient Advocate to Consult with the Most Successful Minimally Invasive Laser Spine Surgeons for your type of surgery.
Types and Success Rates of Traditional Back Surgery Procedures
Discectomy
Discectomy is a surgical treatment which is used to remove herniated discs. Herniated discs cause compression in the spine causing severe pain in the back and numbness and weakness in muscles. This type of surgery can be preformed as an open or minimally invasive procedure.
Study Highlighted
Long-term prospective study of lumbosacral discectomy
By P. Jeffrey Lewis, M.D., Bryce
K. A. Weir, M.D., Robert
W. Broad, M.D., and Michael
G. Grace, Ph.D.
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A long-term prospective study of 100 patients undergoing lumbosacral
discectomy was carried out in an attempt to delineate the natural history of
these patients and to assess the relative significance of preoperative
factors as determinants of long-term outcome. Neurological findings were
documented preoperatively and at 1 month, 1 year, and 5 to 10 years
postoperatively. A questionnaire using subjective and objective data was
given to patients at 1 year and 5 to 10 years postoperatively. An 83%
long-term follow-up result was obtained. At a minimum of 5 years
postoperatively, 62% of patients had complete relief of back pain and 62%
had complete relief of leg pain; 96% were pleased that they had submitted to
surgery and 93% were able to return to work. Nine percent reported that
their back pain at 5 to 10 years was as severe as or worse than
preoperatively and 11% reported that their leg pain was as severe as or
worse than preoperatively. The reoperation rate was 18%. Preoperative
factors found to be significantly associated with outcome at 1 year
postoperatively were not significantly associated with outcome at 5 to 10
years postoperatively. The results of lumbosacral discectomy appear
favorable as evaluated in this study. Preoperative factors useful as
predictors of short-term outcome are much less reliable when considering the
long-term results.
A laminotomy involves the removal of part of the bone at the back of the vertabra in the spinal canal to enlarge the spinal canal. This helps relieve nerve pressure caused by spinal stenosis.
Study Highlighted
Long-term results of microsurgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis by unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression.
OERTEL Markus F; RYANG Yu-Mi;
KORINTH Marcus C.; GILSBACH Joachim M.; ROHDE Veit; MAIMAN Dennis J. ;
BRANCH Charles L. ; SONNTAG Volker K. H. ; TRAYNELIS Vincent C. ;
WANG Michael Y. ; HEARY Robert F.
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Source
OBJECTIVE: Laminectomy and bilateral laminotomy are the standard procedures
for decompression of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). With the aim of less
invasiveness and better preservation of spinal stability, the technique of
unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression (ULBD) was developed.
However, limited follow-up data exist to determine the efficiency and
outcome of ULBD. Therefore, the authors present their 10-year experience
with ULBD and postoperative long-term results. METHODS: One hundred
thirty-three consecutive patients (73 men and 60 women; mean age, 63 yr)
meeting clinical and radiographic criteria for LSS who underwent first-time
ULBD between 1994 and 1999 entered the study. The study parameters were set
to ensure follow-up period of at least 4 years. All patients were available
for short-term follow-up re-evaluation within 3 months, and 102 (77%) of the
133 patients were available for long-term examination after a mean duration
of 5.6 years. The scale of Finneson and Cooper was used for evaluation of
the clinical results. RESULTS: One hundred thirty patients (97.7%) improved
immediately after surgery. Ninety-four (92.2%) of the 102 patients available
for long-term follow-up examination remained improved, and 85.3% had an
excellent-to-fair operative result. The incidence of complications was 9.8%.
Resurgery for complication was necessary in three patients, for restenosis
in seven patients, and for spinal instability in two patients, accounting
for a reoperation rate of 11.8%. CONCLUSION: ULBD allows achievement of good
and long-lasting operative results in patients with LSS. Postoperative
deterioration, recurrences, and spinal instability are infrequent. For the
authors, ULBD is the preferred technique to treat symptomatic LSS.
Long term outcome after cervical foraminotomy
By Chris Woertgen, Ralf Dirk Rothoerl, Jan Henkel and Alexander Brawanski
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Source
We recently demonstrated the effectiveness of dorsal foraminotomy in lateral
herniated cervical disc after 1 year follow-up in a prospective study.1The
goal of this paper is to confirm these results concerning long term outcome.
We carried out a prospective, consecutive study on 54 patients, operated on
for lateral herniated cervical disc. We analysed demographic data, the case
history, the neurological examination on admission and imaging data. Ninety
per cent were followed up for 3.5 years postoperatively. According to their
ratings on a pain scale the group were divided into favourable and
unfavourable outcomes. These groups were analysed in relation to the
patient’s initial condition. At follow up, 90% of patients showed complete
recovery or improvement. A long standing preoperative neurological deficit
seems to be an important prognostic factor for unfavourable long term
outcome after cervical foraminotomy.
Spinal fusion permanently connects two or more bones in your spine. It can relieve pain by adding stability to a spinal fracture. It is occasionally used to eliminate painful motion between vertebrae that can result from a degenerated or injured disk.
Posterolateral spinal fusion: a study of 123 cases with a long-term follow-up
By Laus M, Tigani D, Pignatti G, Alfonso C, Malaguti C, Monti C, Giunti A.
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Source
A total of 123 patients submitted to posterolateral fusion according to the
Wiltse method were followed-up after 2-10 years (mean 6 years and 2 months). The
series included: isthmic spondylolisthesis: 80; degenerative spondylolisthesis:
18; failed back syndrome: 25. Good morphological fusion of the arthrodesis
evaluated by conventional radiology and CT, was obtained in 87% of the entire
series, while in 89% of the cases excellent or good clinical results were
obtained according to the Friberg evaluation scale. Extent of the fusion to 1 or
2 intervertebral segments, or association of laminectomy did not influence the
results. Clinical and radiographic results were maintained stable in time: in
only 3 cases did we observe clinical deterioration due to degeneration of the
segment located above the fusion 3-7 years after surgery. The only important
complications observed were one cauda equina syndrome due to peridural hematoma
after laminectomy-fusion, and one iliocaval venous thrombosis. The results of
the series studied and the data reported in the literature show that
posterolateral fusion is a method capable of providing a high percentage of good
clinical and radiographic results, and it may be favorably compared with methods
of interbody fusion and of pedicular fixation, compared to which it has the
advantage of involving a minor number of complications. Anterior interbody
fusion is however indicated for stabilization of the reduction of severe
spondylolisthesis in the adolescent. Fusion with pedicular osteosynthesis is
indicated for the treatment of macroscopic instability and in fusions which are
extended to more than two intervertebral segments.
Implanted artificial disks are a treatment alternative to spinal fusion for painful movement between two vertebrae due to a degenerated or injured disk. These relatively new devices are still being studied, however, so it's not yet clear what role they might play in treating spinal disk disease.
Total disc replacement in the lumbar spine: a systematic review of the literature
By Brian J.C. Freeman and James Davenport
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Source
The current evidence for total disc replacement was assessed by performing a
systematic review of the published literature. This search identified two
randomised controlled trials (RCTs), two previous systematic reviews, seven
prospective cohort studies, eleven retrospective cohort studies and eight
case series. The RCTs involved the use of the Charite artificial disc and
the Pro-Disc II total disc replacement. All papers analysed were classified
according to their level of evidence as defined by the Centre for Evidence
Based Medicine, Oxford, UK (www.cebm). For degenerative disc disease at L4/5
or L5/S1, both the clinical outcome and the incidence of major neurological
complications following insertion of the Charite artificial disc were found
to be equivalent to those observed following a single level anterior lumbar
interbody fusion 2 years following surgery. However, only 57% of patients
undergoing total disc replacement and 46% of patients undergoing arthrodesis
met the four criteria listed for success. The range of flexion/extension was
restored and maintained with the Charite artificial disc. The role for two
or three level disc replacement in the treatment of degenerative disc
disease remains unproven. To date, no study has shown total disc replacement
to be superior to spinal fusion in terms of clinical outcome. The long-term
benefits of total disc replacement in preventing adjacent level disc
degeneration have yet to be realised. Complications of total disc
replacement may not be known for many years. There are numerous types of
disc prostheses and designs under study or in development. Well designed
prospective RCTs are needed before approval and widespread application of
this technology.
Vertebroplasty
During this procedure, your surgeon injects bone cement into compressed vertebrae. For fractured and compressed vertebrae, this procedure can help stabilize fractures and relieve pain. With a similar but more expensive procedure — called kyphoplasty — a balloon-like device is inserted to attempt to expand compressed vertebrae before bone cement is injected.
Vertebroplasty: clinical experience and follow-up results.
By Martin JB, Jean B, Sugiu K, San Millan Ruiz D, Piotin M, Murphy
K, Rufenacht B, Muster M, Rufenacht DA
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Source
This study was undertaken to report the clinical experience with percutaneous
minimal invasive vertebroplasty using polymethyl-methacrylcate (PMMA) for a
consecutive group of patients. Over the period of the last 4 years, 40 patients
were treated at 68 vertebral segment levels with the intention to relieve pain
related to vertebral body lesions. Reduced vertebral body height and destruction
of the posterior vertebral wall were not considered to be exclusion criterias.
The vertebroplasty procedure was performed under general anesthesia and in prone
position with imaging control using mostly biplane DSA fluoroscopic guidance,
and rarely with single-plane mobile DSA combined with computed tomographic
guidance. Unilateral, but more frequently bilateral, transpedicular introduction
of a 2-3-mm OD needle was followed by an injection of polymethyl-methacrylcate
(PMMA). PMMA preparation involved a diluted mixture (20 mL powder for 5 mL
liquid) allowing for an extended polymerization time of up to 8 min. The PMMA
was mixed with metallic powder to enhance its radio-opacity. Before PMMA
injection, a vertebral phlebography was obtained to evaluate the filling pattern
and identify sites of potential PMMA leakage. Injection of opacified PMMA was
performed under continuous visual control with fluoroscopy to obtain adequate
filling and to avoid important PMMA leakage. Clinical follow-up involved an
evaluation using a questionnaire for assessment of pain, pain medication, and
mobility. One to six levels were treated in one to three treatment sessions for
patients with metastatic, osteoporotic, and hemangiomatous lesions of the
vertebral bodies who presented with pain. The results observed matched those
reported previously with a success rate of approximately 80% and a complication
rate below 6% per treated level. Treatment failure and complications observed
were related to leakage, insufficient pretreatment evaluation, anesthesia, or
patient position during treatment. Image guidance with fluoroscopy was efficient
both for precise transpedicular approach and PMMA implantation control.
Vertebroplasty is very efficient for treatment of pain. Treatment failure was
mostly related to insufficient pretreatment clinical evaluation, and
complication due to excessive PMMA volume injection. Control of PMMA volume
seems to be the most critical point for avoiding complications. A good
fluoroscopy control is therefore mandatory.