The human race has been combating back pain with surgical intervention for at least the past 5,000 years. Examination of Egyptian mummies that were buried in 3,000 BC reveals such signs of attempted surgical procedures on the spine.
The Birth of Laser Spine Surgery
Sometimes, in medicine, innovation doesn’t always yield the results we anticipate. Laser spine surgery is one of those advancements. The main issue with laser spine surgery? The evidence simply does not 100% support its promise of being more precise and effective than a scalpel.
For example, scientists have successfully harnessed lasers in eye surgery to correct one of the most complex functions in the human body: vision. Shouldn’t resolving issues with the spine be just as precise? Unfortunately, this line of logic doesn’t translate well in a practical sense. Instead, the involvement of the laser actually injects an added layer of risk into a procedure that the doctor could have otherwise performed using safer and more conventional methods.
How Does Laser Spine Surgery Work?
Surgery on the spine is broken down into one of two categories: traditional or minimally invasive. Traditional surgery involves the use of larger incisions and carries more inherent risks than minimally invasive surgery. The recovery period for such procedures is also longer. Inversely, minimally invasive spine surgery employs smaller incisions and high-precision techniques, allowing spine surgeons to sometimes perform these procedures on an outpatient basis. However, MISS is not always a viable option for patients whose conditions warrant more extensive surgical manipulation.
So, where does laser spine surgery fit into this breakdown? First, we should address the common misconception that laser spine surgeries are incision-free or noninvasive. This is simply not the case. If your spine surgeon chooses to utilize this method, then he or she must make an initial incision in order to insert the laser into the affected area.
With our current technology, doctors can only use the laser to safely remove certain soft tissues. If the procedure calls for the removal of bone and ligaments, then the surgeon must employ other methods.
The primary use of lasers in spine surgery is for a process called ablation. During ablation, spine doctors utilize the heat of the laser to shave down the ends of intervertebral discs. Doing so increases the amount of space between them, thereby decompressing nearby nerves. Doctors may also use this technology to burn through any affected nerve endings, reducing the transmission of pain.
Does Laser Spine Surgery Really Work?
Proponents of the laser method believe that burning instead of cutting leads to less blood loss and minimal scarring. However, there is simply not enough evidence to support this claim. In fact, current evidence points to the contrary: the potential for tissue destruction is much higher (and more likely to be permanent) with laser spine surgery. As such, many scientists believe that the possible benefits of laser spine surgery do not outweigh the risks of using this method. Therefore, since minimally invasive spine surgery by its very nature is supposed to minimize risk, we really should not consider laser spine surgery a MISS procedure.
What Is the Success Rate of Laser Spine Surgery?
Reliable, universally accepted success rates for laser spine surgery remain difficult to establish because high-quality clinical evidence on the procedure is limited.
A literature review published by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons noted that available data does not conclusively demonstrate superior outcomes compared to standard surgical techniques.
While individual clinics often offer high success rates, these figures typically originate from small observational reports rather than large-scale, randomized controlled trials. As a result, major medical insurance providers may classify laser spine techniques as experimental or investigational. Patients considering this option may want to discuss the potential out-of-pocket costs and alternative treatments with a board-certified spine specialist.
The Risks of Laser Spine Surgery
When you think of a laser, you think precision. In other areas of the medical field, this is the case, but spinal surgeries involve specific angles and hard-to-reach areas. While lasers may be precise in a sense, they simply do not offer this kind of flexibility. Lasers cut deeper based on how long they make contact with a specific spot. Scalpels, on the other hand, respond exclusively to tactile pressure. So, ironically, it is actually much easier to cut too deep while using a laser.
The other main issue with lasers is that they naturally generate heat. Heat emitted from the laser may transmit to nearby tissues and nerves causing unnecessary damage. A scalpel, by contrast, is just as precise as any laser without presenting the same challenges.
How Long Does It Take to Recover From Laser Spine Surgery?
Recovery from laser spine surgery is not necessarily faster than recovery from other minimally invasive spine procedures. Because the laser still requires an incision to reach the spine, the timeline tracks the underlying operation rather than the laser itself. In many cases, a skilled surgeon using conventional minimally invasive methods can offer the same recovery window without the added risks of heat and imprecise depth control.
The Alternatives to Laser Spine Surgery
The safest alternatives to laser spine surgery are the proven minimally invasive techniques that reach the same goals without a laser, such as endoscopic discectomy and minimally invasive spinal fusion. These procedures deliver the small incisions, reduced blood loss, and quicker recovery that laser marketing promises, but with decades of evidence and mainstream surgical acceptance behind them.
This is why doctors typically exhaust conservative options, such as medication and steroid injections, to avoid surgery whenever possible. In cases where surgery is absolutely necessary, surgeons may attempt to compromise with minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Talk to a Spine Specialist About Laser Spine Surgery Alternatives in NJ
Do you have back pain that persists despite the use of conservative treatments? The Advanced Spine Center, with locations across New Jersey, focuses on the safest proven treatments for your spine. For expert guidance that you can trust, request an appointment today!