LASER SPINE PROCEDURES – FAQs
The board-certified pain management specialists at Physician Partners of America now offer laser spine procedures for the most common chronic spine pain conditions. That allows you to seek pain relief close to home. It’s the latest alternative to opioid medication for back and neck pain.
Laser procedures are micro-invasive with an incision about the size of a grain of rice. The laser can be used to pinpoint and ablate pain-causing nerves. It’s precise, fast, effective, and spares your muscles the trauma of open-back surgery.
Here are a few frequently asked questions about laser spine and micro-invasive procedures.
Q: Does laser spine surgery use lasers?
A: Sometimes. The term “laser” is meant to convey the precision of the procedures. These minimally invasive techniques directly target the affected area while touching almost nothing else, acting with laser-like accuracy; but some procedures may still utilize lasers, especially on the soft tissues near the spine.
Q: Is there any recovery time?
A: There is some recovery time with laser spine surgery, but it is significantly shorter than traditional surgery. Most of the time you can go back to non-strenuous activity after only one or two weeks, and resume most strenuous activities after one month. That is far shorter than the sometimes six months some patients take to recover; but talk to your surgeon, as each individual may have different recovery times.
Q: How effective is laser spine surgery?
A: When performed by a skilled pain doctor, it is very effective, on par with open surgery. The techniques that are used continue to advance, with better approaches that offer better outcomes.
Q: Is laser back surgery covered by Medicare?
A: Yes! For most patients, Medicare covers some or all of your laser spine procedure. However, keep in mind that different plans may offer different payments. Contact us and we will be happy to provide you with an insurance benefits check to ensure that you are covered by Medicare or other insurance, or let you know how much it may be out of pocket.
Q: How do I know if I’m a candidate?
A: The best way to find out if you are a candidate for laser spine procedures is to contact us today for a consultation. We can talk to you about the available options – not just for spine surgery, but also for pain management – and see what is causing your pain and what treatment techniques are best for you.
If conservative treatment hasn’t worked for you, you may be a candidate for a laser spine procedure to treat your neck or back pain.
