Back pain often interferes with a person’s life affecting all of its aspects, posing as both a physical and mental burden. Visiting a specialist is, therefore, imperative. If the initial pain is diagnosed early and correctly, prompt initiation of treatment can grant a faster return to normal activities, prevent the development of permanent consequences and the transition to a chronic painful state.
Unique minimally-invasive and endoscopic spine procedures
Minimally invasive and endoscopic procedures which are used in the treatment of back pain belong to the most advanced group of procedures in the progressive field of interventional treatment of pain. Interventional pain management involves a wide range of procedures that can produce immediate pain relief. Their advantage is the delicate performance of the procedure, as well as numerous other benefits compared to conventional spinal surgery. The treatment is suitable for patients before a spinal surgery as well as those, who have already undergone a spinal surgery.
The procedures can be divided into two groups. The first group are minimally-invasive diagnostic-therapeutic procedures performed in the outpatient clinic; the second group are procedures performed in the operating theaters – advanced percutaneous endoscopic procedures.
The meaning of a minimally-invasive procedure is that it does not create an “open approach” as in conventional spinal surgery. Instead, one surgical incision between eight to ten millimeters in size is made. Through this “keyhole”, surgical equipment, including a special camera, which transmits the image to the monitor and allows the surgeon to work under video navigation control, are then inserted into the spinal or epidural space to the source of the pain.
How are minimally-invasive and endoscopic procedures performed ?
- Minimally invasive procedures are performed under accurate, targeted and safe control of a mobile C-arm X-ray. Endoscopic procedures are performed under the control of a camera and also a mobile C-arm X-ray.
- The advantage of minimally-invasive and endoscopic surgery is its delicate approach.
- Only one incision for the performance of the procedure (introduction of cameras and tools) is needed, with a size of 8 to 10 mm. After the procedure, the incision is sutured with 1-2 stitches.
- The patient lies in the prone position during the procedure.
- The patient is under local anesthesia, only mild sedatives and painkillers are given, and short general anesthesia is rarely necessary.
- The duration of the procedures varies depending on the type of procedure, ranging from 30 to 90 minutes.
- The procedures are done without the need for patient hospitalization. The patient returns home after the procedure and the recommended bed rest period (for 120 minutes).
Discover the benefits of minimally invasive and endoscopic procedures
Is the treatment suitable for everyone?
Our EuroPainClinics workplaces strive every day to provide all of our patients with pain relief and a return to a more comfortable life. Every pain relief is a success!
All procedures are based on the knowledge of evidence-based medicine and follow the international standards of SIS (Spine Intervention Society). In this context, we believe that:
- This type of treatment is not suitable for every patient,
- Not every patient will feel the same pain relief,
- The use of minimally invasive procedures is not the best approach for every patient.
