The Laser Spine Institute abruptly shuttered in March 2019, leaving hundreds of patients in the lurch amid questions about how such a formidable player in the health care world could have fallen so far, and so fast. The lawsuit, among several in which the company was embroiled, was a major reason.

The Many Advantages of Laser Spine Surgery

• Treats many common back and neck conditions.
• Smaller incisions and less pain.
• Less time in the hospital.
• Back to your usual activities faster.

If you're considering back surgery, you should know that while minimally invasive surgery using a laser is effective for some conditions, it isn't a miracle cure, and it isn't for everyone. Find out what you need to know.

Laser spine surgery treats herniated discs up to 70% effectiveness in patients. The laser evaporates the herniated discs' nucleus, causing the bulging disc portion to recede and relieve compression on your nerves.

One of the main potential complications from laser back surgery is damage to the surrounding tissue. Because a laser is used for the procedure, heat damage can occur to surrounding nerves, bone, and cartilage. Another possible complication is infection.

Laminectomy. This is the most common surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis. In this procedure, a surgeon removes parts of the bone, bone spurs, or ligaments in your back. This relieves pressure on spinal nerves and can ease pain or weakness, but the procedure can make your spine less stable.

Laser therapy can be used in the treatment of back pain, arthritis, muscle strains, fibromyalgia, bursitis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck and shoulder pain, plantar fasciitis, and even tennis elbow. In short, virtually any kind of chronic pain can be effectively treated by using laser therapy.

Thanks to technological and medical advances, physicians are now able to treat a number of common back and neck conditions with laser spine surgery, which is often less painful and heals more quickly than traditional open spine surgery.

Acupuncture, massage, biofeedback therapy, laser therapy, electrical nerve stimulation and other nonsurgical spine treatments can also make a difference for chronic back pain. Talk to your spine specialist about alternative treatments that could benefit you.

Depending on the condition the surgery is treating, spinal fusion has a 70 to 90% success rate.

Laser spine surgery treats herniated discs up to 70% effectiveness in patients. The laser evaporates the herniated discs' nucleus, causing the bulging disc portion to recede and relieve compression on your nerves.

With laser spine surgery, there is less risk of infection, blood loss, and potential injury to your back muscles and soft tissue than with traditional open surgery. Because the procedure is less invasive, your hospital stay and recovery time in general should be shorter.