Laser Spine Surgery in Bridgewater, NJ

There have been many advancements in spinal surgery in recent years. If you live in Bridgewater and are battling with pain or other complications resulting from a back condition, laser spine surgery can help alleviate your symptoms and reduce your pain.

While a minimally-invasive technique using a laser beam could alleviate some conditions, it is no miracle cure and certainly not recommended for all patients. Our board of certified surgeons at NJ Spine & Orthopedic will assess your situation to determine whether laser spine surgery will be ideal for you. Get in touch with our Bridgewater laser spine surgeons today to understand which option best works for your condition.

Understanding Laser Spine Surgery

During laser spine surgery in Bridgewater, NJ, your surgeon will use a highly-focused beam of energy to carry out various surgical procedures, such as making incisions. Lasers allow doctors to apply a precise and minimally-invasive method to treat the spinal condition. This level of preciseness is crucial when carrying out different spine-related surgeries.

When Is Laser Spine Surgery Recommended?

Laser spine surgery may be recommended in the following circumstances:

• When the surgeon needs to shrink a disc material around the affected nerve: Laser surgery can be used to shrink the outer shell of a disc, making it smaller. This increases the surface area of the section surrounding the affected disc, alleviating any pressure buildup and consequently restoring the disc to its original function.
• For the treatment of common back problems: Laser spine surgery can be successfully used to treat back-related complications, such as spinal stenosis, bone spurs, and sciatica.
• When removing tumors from the spinal cord: A spinal tumor is a mass of damaged cells, which can result in cancer. Such growths must be addressed immediately to prevent them from spreading to other body parts. Laser spine surgery offers the required precision to remove any soft tissue.

Make sure you consult with a skilled Bridgewater, NJ laser spine surgeon from NJ Spine & Orthopedic for more insight into whether this treatment is right for your needs.

How Can You Prepare For Laser Spine Surgery?

The following techniques can help you prepare for your surgery as well as help you during the recovery period:

• Ask all the right questions: Do your due diligence and write down various questions to ask your surgeon during your pre-surgery appointment. Make any concerns known beforehand to avoid last-minute confusion.
• Do not take anything after midnight before the procedure: Your health provider will advise you not to take any solid food or liquids approximately eight to twelve hours before the surgery. This will prevent food particles and liquids from getting into your lungs.
• Avoid NSAIDs: Specific medications can thin your blood, leading to excessive bleeding during the operation. Ask your doctor what medications you should avoid in the week leading to your surgery.
• Get your home ready: Recovering from back surgery can be challenging, especially in the first few days and weeks. Therefore, before going to the hospital, ensure all frequently used items are within reach to avoid bending or reaching for items too high.
• Organize a ride home. Most healthcare centers require that you have a trusted driver to take you home after the procedure for legal and safety reasons.

Get in touch with our experts and Concierge Team at NJ Spine & Orthopedic today.

Recovering From Laser Spine Surgery

Since laser surgery is a minimally-invasive procedure, it is often less painful than traditional techniques. With that being said, it is still important to take enough time to rest and let your body fully heal. In light of this, the following are some things you should know about recovering from laser spine surgery:

• Attend physical therapy: You should start physical therapy immediately after surgery to improve your range of motion and strengthen your back muscles. While you may struggle with physical therapy initially, your body will gradually adapt.
• Be careful: As mentioned, just because you do not feel any pain does not mean you should be careless with your body movements. Avoid strenuous activities, especially in the first days and weeks post-surgery.
• Do not neglect your spine: Your doctor will most likely offer you braces to provide additional support for your delicate spine. Keep it on in the entirety of your recovery period to avoid reinjuring yourself.
• Know that recovery time differs between patients: The recovery period varies depending on the type of procedure and your health and physical condition. Therefore, following your doctor’s instructions after surgery is important to bounce back to health as soon as possible.

Depending on the specifics of your surgery, your surgeon may have other recommendations as well.  

Is Laser Spine Surgery Safe?

Laser spine surgery is a low-risk procedure. A majority of patients experience little to no pain at all. Minimal discomfort at the needle injection point is the most common side-effect of the procedure. Most patients have reported faster recovery times compared to other techniques.

Therefore, in comparison to other surgical methods, laser spine surgery has minimal risks and a higher success rate of getting rid of back pain. Advances in laser technology have also enabled laser spine surgery to treat conditions such as herniated discs. This is contrary to the older technique of spinal fusion, which encompasses making large cuts at the back and fusing the spinal columns using screws and hardware.

Consult the Bridgewater, NJ Laser Spine Surgeons at NJ Spine & Orthopedic Today 

If you are weighing surgical options for your chronic back or neck problem, working with an experienced surgeon is imperative. For the best outcome, you should hire a skilled surgeon with a proven track record of performing traditional and minimally-invasive methods.

At NJ Spine & Orthopedic, we pride ourselves in having experienced surgeons offering advanced laser spine surgeries for a wide range of neck and back conditions. Contact us online today to know if the procedure will work for you. You can also call us at (833) 553-0612 to book your first appointment.