Endoscopic Spine Surgery
Endoscopic spine surgery is the most innovative and least invasive surgical technique to manage spinal conditions through a keyhole incision using specialised surgical instruments. This surgery encompasses a range of different procedures, including decompression, discectomy, and also fusion surgeries. It is performed to overcome the following spinal problems/ disorders and conditions:
- Herniation of lumbar disc (Bulging disc)
- Spinal stenosis- narrowing of the spinal canal
- Spondylolisthesis- slippage of one vertebral bone over another in the spine, due to instability
- Fracture of the spinal bones
- Chronic Facet Disease- associated with backache and spasms when leaning back
- Arthritis and bone spurs of the spine
- Sciatica
- Infections of the spine
- Spinal tumours
- Failed previous surgery on the backside
- Radiculitis or radiculopathy.
At Arete Hospitals, we provide the best Endoscopic Spine Surgery in Hyderabad in our suite of the top orthopaedic/neurosurgery procedures.
Benefits of Endoscopic Spine Surgery
Endoscopic spine surgery is advantageous to traditional Spinal Surgery in Hyderabad. It is an ultra-minimally invasive approach. The procedure does not involve making large skin and soft tissue incisions or removal of significant amounts of bone. This reduces the risk of scarring and preserves the spine mobility of the patient. As there is minimal disruption of tissues, endoscopic spine surgery can result in reduced postoperative pain, quick recovery from surgery, lower rates of infections, and short hospital stays. The surgery is performed only with regional anaesthesia which allows the surgeon to conduct real-time monitoring of the patient's symptoms and eliminate the potential side effects of using general anaesthesia.
Furthermore, to guide the insertion of endoscopic surgical tools within the spine, the Spine Surgeon in Hyderabad at Arete Hospitals makes use of advanced technologies. There is the use of a high-definition camera to get a clear, detailed image of the damaged spine. This reduces radiation exposure for both the patient and surgical team and allows the surgeon to visualise what’s happening at the time of the operation. There is also the use of contemporary technology to closely monitor and control what’s taking place during the surgery, thereby making the surgery safe for the patients.
Endoscopic spine surgery in Hyderabad at Arete Hospitals does not result in any damage to the spinal nerves or blood loss. It is more affordable than an open surgery procedure.
Before Endoscopic Spine Surgery
If the patient is scheduled for endoscopic spine surgery, then the Best Spinal Endoscopic Surgery Doctors in Hyderabad and care team guides the patient to prepare for the operation. An anesthesiologist asks the patient some set of questions to evaluate how much anaesthesia will be safe for the patient. The spine surgeon will order the patient to get blood tests or other preoperative tests done to confirm candidacy for the surgery. The patient even needs to get approval from other healthcare providers before undertaking endoscopic spine surgery.
To ensure smooth and quick healing post-surgery and no complications, the patient needs to:
- Maintain a healthy, balanced diet and be committed to a healthy lifestyle
- Minimise the use of painkillers or narcotics
- Avoid eating or drinking a few hours before the surgery
- Temporarily discontinue or stop taking blood thinners or blood pressure medications.
What does Endoscopic Spine Surgery Involve?
Endoscopic spine surgery or Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Hyderabad is performed with the patient lying on his/her stomach. The orthopaedic surgeon makes a tiny cut (usually ¼ inch) in the back to precisely target a series of ultra, low profile dilators with minimal impact on normal tissues. Through this incision, a high-definition endoscope is inserted by Best Endoscopic Spine Surgeons in Hyderabad into the affected spine followed by a number of specialised endoscopic instruments to remove overgrown vertebral bone, thickened ligaments, and herniated lumbar disc, thereby taking off pressure from the spinal nerves.
In the case of fusion endoscopic spine surgery, the surgeon inserts a small expandable cage full of bone into the disc space through a tiny incision in the spinal area. Next, the surgeon places rods and screws them with a cage to secure everything in place with the least invasion.
The surgery ends with the closure of incisions under a direct, clear view of the spine.
Endoscopic spine surgery involves the following procedures, based on what spinal problem is being treated:
- Transforaminal endoscopic discectomy- It is done to treat herniated, bulging, extruded, or protruded discs. The procedure involves the use of an endoscope to decompress the disc.
- Endoscopic foraminoplasty- It is done to treat degenerative disc, facet disease, or foraminal stenosis. The surgery involves the removal of some portion of the bone to open up the foramen using microscopic surgical instruments.
- Endoscopic annuloplasty- It is done to treat tears in the annular walls of the disc using a laser probe that ablates the nerves and closes the tears.
- Endoscopic rhizotomy- It is done to treat chronic axial backache. The procedure involves using a probe to ablate the medial branch nerve.
- Endoscopic laminotomy- It is done to treat lumbar spinal stenosis by creating an opening of the lamina above and below the spinal disc.
Good Candidates for Endoscopic Spine Surgery
- Anyone in need of relief from a protruded, herniated, extruded, bulging lumbar disc or disc tear that compresses and irritates the nerves of the spine
- A patient who is having persistent pain in the legs or back and is experiencing numbness, tenderness, and tingling while bending, sitting, or walking but can’t get relief from continuous medications and physical treatments
- Healthy individuals who are not suffering from diabetes and heart disease. Endoscopic spine surgery benefits patients with bleeding disorders or organ failure.
- People who suffer from simple structural spinal issues are likely to experience complications from more invasive spine surgeries.
After Discharge
For every patient who has undergone endoscopic spine surgery at Best Spine Surgery Hospital in Hyderabad, the recovery is different. At home, the patient must follow these post-operative instructions:
- Avoid driving for a week or two.
- Return to work as per what the job demands and when the surgeon permits.
- Wait for 6 weeks or longer before starting to do any strenuous activities to allow the body to heal properly.
- Avoid taking a shower until the next day after the surgery. Do not take baths that involve soaking the incision for a month as it may increase the chances of infection.
- Do not lift heavy objects for a month.
- For mild post-surgical pain or discomfort, use heat, ice, or any anti-inflammatory medication.
- Do not miss a follow-up appointment with the surgeon which is scheduled after six weeks.
Cost of Endoscopic Spine Surgery in Hyderabad
The surgeon provides details about the costs involved in endoscopic spine surgery cost in Hyderabad and even funding options during the initial consultation. Private health insurance may cover for the cost of endoscopic spine surgery wholly or partially. Still, there is a need to pay some amount of money out-of-pocket.
The factors that determine the cost of endoscopic spine surgery include:
- The surgeon’s expertise and experience
- Technologies used for surgery
- Condition of the spine to be treated
- Insurance claims
Effectiveness of Endoscopic Spine Surgery
Endoscopic spine surgery performed at Arete Hospitals, Best Spine Hospital in Hyderabad has a very high success rate. An estimated 80-90% of patients report less pain and improved mobility after endoscopic spine surgery. They can resume all those activities that they had to skip because of their spinal conditions.
Risks Associated with Endoscopic Spine Surgery
Endoscopic spine surgery has rare complications. The risks are less common and include:
- Blood clots
- Infection at the incision site
- Injury to the root of the spinal nerves
- Leakage of spinal fluid that may result in postoperative headaches
- Allergic reactions
- Anaesthesia-related complications.
1. What are the signs of recovery from an endoscopic spine surgery?
During recovery, the patient can normally expect to experience the following side effects like muscle twitching, return of sensations as the anaesthesia wears off, and restless legs. In case, the patient experiences extreme pain at the incision site or develops fever and chills, then getting immediate medical attention is necessary.
2. Does endoscopic spine surgery permanently fix spinal issues?
Yes, it can. Mostly spine pain is caused by herniation or degeneration of discs that put pressure on the sensitive nerves travelling down the spinal column. Endoscopic spine surgery can help clear the area around those nerves and relieve the pressure.
3. How long does it take to recover from endoscopic spine surgery?
The recovery time may vary from one patient to another depending upon the location of the surgery, the type of surgery needed, and the patient's lifestyle. Most patients get discharged from their hospital the same day and return to their active lives within 4-6 weeks of operation. However, some patients resume their normal routine in 1-2 weeks.
4. Will endoscopic spine surgery hurt?
Patients are provided with anaesthesia that keeps the surgical site numb throughout the surgery. After the surgery when the effect of anaesthesia wears off, the patients often get relief from back and leg pain.
5. Why choose Arete Hospitals for endoscopic spine surgery?
One can contact Arete Hospitals for Endoscopic Spine Surgery in Hyderabad as they ensure access to experienced specialists, cutting-edge technology, and a patient-centred approach. Their expertise in minimally invasive techniques reduces pain, scarring, and recovery time, improving overall surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
