Our expert spine doctors at Preferred Surgicenter treat symptoms of back and neck pain with a combination of conservative treatment, and surgical treatment when necessary. To strive for the fastest recovery time and the lowest infection rates in Orland Park, IL and in the south suburbs of Chicago, IL our surgeons specialize in endoscopic spine surgery, a form of minimally invasive spine surgery.
Am I An Endoscopic Surgery Candidate?
Endoscopic spine surgeries include XLIF, TLIF, Discectomy, Microdecompression, and Spinal Fusion procedures. These can be used to treat a herniated disc, sciatic nerve compression, spinal stenosis, and other spinal abnormalities in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine that may cause back pain or neck pain.
Generally your doctor will recommend minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery if your pain has not improved with conservative treatment for longer than six months. Conservative treatment could include physical therapy, weight loss, pain medication, and epidural injections. If the doctor decides that surgery is appropriate, they rule out excluding factors. With modern technology most procedures can be done with minimally invasive techniques, but excluding factors may be excess weight, present infections, and co-morbidities such as high-degree scoliosis. Your MRI will also help the doctor determine whether you are a candidate for minimally invasive surgery. If you already have an MRI, take advantage of our FREE MRI Review and speak to our doctors about whether you are a candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery.
Laser Surgery & Minimally Invasive
Minimally invasive techniques minimize blood loss, scarring, infection risk, and other downsides to surgical treatment by avoiding disruption. During endoscopic surgery a camera or a microscope is inserted through a small incision in your back, along with the surgical tools which may include a laser. A laser functions as a cutting tool, replacing the scalpel, because some doctors believe that it reduces pain by cauterizing skin rather than cutting. However lasers cannot cut around corners like a scalpel could and even when used in minimally invasive surgical procedures, will play a limited role.
To evaluate your spine health and to learn whether relieving your back pain or neck pain would require a laser, request a consult. Visit our spine diseases page or our spine treatments page to learn more about possible abnormalities and your treatment options.