Arthroscopic Spine Surgeries In Hyderabad

Arthroscopic Spine Surgeries

Our spinal column is a complex system of muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and vertebral discs. It provides basic support for our body and allows us to do activities without causing any harm to the spinal cord. They play a vital role in enabling the brain to communicate with other body parts.

The spine is highly prone to injuries, which can be caused by faulty personal habits, aging effects, or any other trauma. Spinal injuries can lead to painful and debilitating conditions that require immediate medical attention. Though treatments like prostheses and medications are effective for spinal injuries, in some cases, spinal cord surgery is necessary.

Traditional open surgeries involve high risks, a larger incision, and a longer recovery time. With advances in technology, traditional open spine surgeries are being replaced with arthroscopic spine surgeries or minimally invasive spine surgeries (MISS).

What is arthroscopic spine arthroscopy?

Arthroscopic spine surgery is a minimally invasive surgical method where surgeons use specialized instruments to access the spine through small incisions in order to correct the damage to the spine. It aims to relieve the pressure on the spinal nerves and also stabilize the vertebral bones and joints. This surgical method is fast, safe, and requires less recovery time. Moreover, this treatment will help stabilize the spine to prevent future pain or deformities.

Minimally invasive techniques are used in spinal procedures like lumbar decompression, spinal fusion, lumbar discectomy, and laminectomy.

When is hip arthroscopy recommended?

Spine surgery is suggested when the injury is very severe and the non-surgical treatment with medicines and physical therapy has not relieved the symptoms. A spine surgery can be conducted only when the exact source of pain can be located by the surgeon.

Additional uses for it include the following:

Herniated disc
Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
Spondylolysis (a defect in a part of lower vertebrae)
Fractured vertebra
Spinal deformities (like scoliosis)
Spinal instability

What are the pre-procedure care for spine arthroscopy?

Before undergoing any arthroscopic surgeries, several steps must be followed to ensure that you are prepared for the procedure:

Pre-operative checkups: Considering your age and health, doctor may ask you to visit your general physician for a complete health checkup before the surgery.
Lifestyle changes: You will be asked to stop drinking and smoking, as it may cause serious complications after surgery.
Medications: You may be instructed to stop certain medications, which may cause bleeding or interfering with anesthesia, e.g., Aspirin, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Advance planning: You should arrange someone to drive you home after the surgery and to help you in activities like washing, dressing, cleaning, etc.

A day prior to the surgery, you will be asked not to eat or drink after midnight. You will also have a discussion with the anesthesia team to finalize the anesthesia for the surgery. The anesthesiologist will analyze your medical history and physical examination reports before making a final decision. The most common types of anesthesia used in arthroscopic spine surgeries are:

General anesthesia: This will put you to sleep and block the pain signals or reflexes during the surgical procedure.
Spinal anesthesia: It is a local anesthesia, where the anesthetic drug will be injected to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the lumbar spine to block the pain signals during the procedure.

How is arthroscopy spine surgery performed?

This minimally invasive spine surgery is carried out using various approaches. The most commonly used technique involves using a tubular retractor, an instrument that moves or holds tissue so that a surgeon can reach the surgical site. The retractor will displace the tissue instead of cutting through it. The arthroscopic spine surgery is performed as follows:

Once you are transferred to the operation room, the anesthesiologist will administer the anesthesia.
A surgeon will make an incision over the skin. In order to get a clear internal view, an imaging method called fluoroscopy is used. The scope used for this method is inserted through the incision; it will display real-time X-ray images of the spine.
Based on those x-ray images, surgeon will make another incision near the area that needs to be treated and will insert the retractor.
The retractor will expose the damaged part of spine and the correction procedures are performed.
Once the damage is corrected, the tools and retractor are removed, and the incisions are closed with stitches. A small bandage is put on the stitches.

What are the post-procedure care for spine arthroscopy?

The length of hospital stay will vary from patient to patient and with the technique used. In most cases, arthroscopic spine surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis, so you can go home the same day after the procedure or in 1 to 2 days.

After the surgery, patients are usually kept in the recovery area for observation. Once the anesthesia effect wears off, you will be asked to stand up and walk around before being discharged. You will be given the required medications as well as instructions for a faster recovery, such as the following:

Pain management: Though the postoperative pain for arthroscopic surgery is less compared to the open surgical method, you will be prescribed medications like opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and sometimes muscle relaxants.
Activity restrictions: The activity restrictions and exercise patterns will vary depending on the procedure and the patient's physical conditions. Some general recommendations are as follows:
- You can resume your normal diet after the surgery, as directed by the surgeon.
- Complete rest is recommended along with gentle stretching for the first week.
- You should avoid bending, twisting, or lifting heavy objects for few weeks.
- Fluid may leak from the operated site, which is normal. However, your doctor will ask you to seek attention if the fluid leakage increases.
- You may go back to work in a few weeks. While those doing heavy manual work may need several months before returning to work.

What are the risks and complications associated with the spine arthroscopy?

As with any operation, there are potential risks associated with arthroscopic spine surgery. Most of the complications can be corrected during the postoperative care and rehabilitation period. Some of the complications include:

Bleeding
Infection
Pseudarthrosis (the condition where it lacks bone formation and there by spinal fusion does not completely heal)

Nerve damages
Persistent pain
Blood clots

Outlook

Unfortunately, there are no treatment options to reverse the spinal damage due to various injuries. The treatment focuses on preventing further injury and returning to an active and productive life. The surgical method will work well for those patients who follow all the instructions given by the healthcare provider. Recovery time for this procedure is exceptionally minimal and has less risk compared to traditional open surgeries.