Spinal Stenosis Laser Surgery

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, which increases pressure on the nerves and can cause pain and numbness.  It is a common spine disorder that affects an estimated half a million Americans, most of whom are over the age of 50 years old.  There are a number of treatment options, ranging from physical therapy to pain medications to spinal stenosis laser surgery.  However, a new treatment option is being researched and is still being tested in humans now.  This experimental device is being labelled the “Superion Interspinous Spacer.”

The Superion Interspinous Spacer is currently meant to aid lumbar (lower back) spinal stenosis.  To insert the device, a doctor will make a small incision in the lower back, and then clear the affected area of the spine.  The device is then fixed between the posterior (back side) bony structures of the vertebraes.  After that, the incision is closed up and the procedure is done.  The way this spacer works is that it maintains adequate space between adjacent vertebrae, which ensures that the forament won’t shrink and pinch the nerves.  The process of installing the Superion spacer is a minimally invasive surgery, and should not require a lengthy recuperation period.

This interspinous spacer study is still in the experimental stages, and is expected to run test trials into 2011.  However, the future of this device looks to be like a promising new way to treat spinal stenosis.  If you want to learn more about the clinical trials with the Superion Interspinous Spacer, go to http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ for more information.

There are two types of surgery that are commonly used to treat spinal stenosis – a foraminotomy and a laminotomy.  Both are types of decompressive surgeries designed to relieve pressure on pinched nerves in the spinal cord.

Foraminotomy

A foraminotomy is a procedure that involves an incision to open up the foramen to allow more room for the nerves to pass through (-otomy means to cut.)  The foramen are openings on the left and right sides along the vertebrae.  There are several disorders that can cause the nerves to become pinched.  Denegerating or thinning discs can cause the vertebrae to come closer together, decreasing the amount of space in the foramen.  Herniating or bulging discs can also infringe into the foramen as well.

Laminotomy

A laminotomy is a procedure that will cut part of the lamina to decompress pressure on the nerves.  The lamina of the vertebrae are two bony plates that extend to cover the spinal cavity on the posterior side.  This can create more room for the spinal cord and allow he nerves to pass freely.  In more serious cases, there is another type of decompressive surgery called a laminectomy, which is the removal of the lamina.

Fortunately, all of these surgeries are relatively simple with a very high success rate.  With spinal stenosis laser surgery, doctors can perform minimally invasive surgery that only requires a few hours for the patient to recover before they can be released by the hospital.  These procedures can also be done with only local anesthesia, reducing the amount of time needed to recover and be on your way.

For those with advanced spinal stenosis disorders, a foraminotomy and laminotomy are quick, easy and painless surgeries that can instantly improve your health condition.