Symptoms that may indicate the need for this type of treatment include radiation of pain into extremities as well as severe back pain with radiculopathy. When conventional treatment methods fail to work after three months, such as prescription pain medication, rest, physical therapy or chiropractic adjustment, it may be time for more comprehensive testing to determine an exact treatment protocol.
If surgery is indicated, it will be performed using intravenous sedation under local anesthesia. A small tube is inserted in the affected lumbar spinal nerve area, into the neuroforamen. Using a micro camera inserted through the opening, the condition is determined, such as protruded discs, lumbar facet, overgrowth ligament, scars, or bone spurs. Using a laser, mechanical tools or radiofrequency, the condition is handled by removing the affected area. By releasing the spinal nerves from the surrounding structures and enlarging the nerve hole, pain from decompression can occur.
Most of these types of surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis and the patient can be discharged the same day. Recovery is fairly quick, with a return to normal activities within days. Most of these surgeries provide the needed relief with few complications afterward.
What is the recovery and prognosis?
Some patients will feel immediate relief once the irritating material has been removed. This procedure has a quick recovery time. Patients are up and back to normal activities in no time.