Patient handout · Spine surgery
Endoscopic Spine Surgery
What it is
Endoscopic spine surgery uses a tiny camera through a small tube. The surgeon can remove disc material or bone that presses on a nerve. The cut is very small.
This surgery may be done at GSMC’s surgery center or in a hospital. Your surgeon will explain where. Call 732-202-3000 to learn which surgeon performs it.
Why it is done
- Selected lumbar or cervical disc herniations
- Foraminal or lateral recess stenosis
- Symptoms matching imaging after nonsurgical care
What to expect
- Before: You meet with your surgeon and may need imaging, blood tests and a health check. You will get instructions about eating, drinking and medicines, including blood thinners. Plan for a ride home.
- During: You get anesthesia or sedation. The surgeon uses a tiny camera through a small tube to remove what is pressing on the nerve. The cut is closed with a stitch or two.
- After: Most people go home the same day. Walking starts right away. Light work often returns in 1 to 4 weeks.
Self-care tips
- Walk a little several times a day.
- Follow your limits on lifting, bending and twisting.
- Keep the cut clean and dry. Follow your wound care instructions.
- Take pain medicine only as directed. Do not smoke; it can slow healing.
When to call us
- Fever over 101°F or chills
- Redness, swelling or fluid draining from the cut
- Pain, swelling or redness in your calf
- New or worse numbness or weakness
Call 911 for chest pain, trouble breathing, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
This handout is general information and is not a substitute for medical advice.