Lasik Laser Eye Surgery

As people move from those years of carefree youth into middle age, they start to detect many changes in their bodies as a result of natural aging. One of those common effects is a decline in eyesight and most that experience diminished vision will hightail-it to an eye doctor’s office to find out what can be done. Since such a high percentage of the population is comprised of middle-aged baby boomers, there is also a huge amount of interest in Lasik laser eye surgery to help correct these common vision problems.

Lasik vision surgery is a specialized procedure that provides vision correction for certain types of vision problems and conditions. Lasik is the term that is used as a “shortcut” for the full name of the operation, which is otherwise known as “Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis.” Other commonly heard terms for corrective eye surgery that is accomplished through the use of lasers instead of scalpels are: PRK, LASEK, custom Lasik, and Epi-Lasik.

There are three main vision problems that are easily corrected through Lasik laser eye surgery. These are near-sightedness, farsightedness, and forms of mild to moderate astigmatisms. With Lasik vision surgery, people are able to toss their eyeglasses, and the chance of losing or breaking them, into the trash forever. It can also eliminate the need for contact lenses.

A qualified and professional Lasik eye doctor will always make sure that a patient has a full and complete understanding of the process, before it is done. This gives them an advantage of not only being a patient but of being an informed consumer who has made a decision regarding their eye health and care. While the risks of laser eye surgery are minimal, especially when compared to older methods of corrective eye surgery, it is in the best interest of the person considering such surgery to fully understand the possible complications and potential risks, as well as the cost of Lasik surgery.

The greatest advantage of a laser eye surgery procedure is that it is minimally invasive and does not involve the cutting of the covering of the eye, or cornea, with any type of surgical instrument. Instead, a thin layer of the cornea is cut with a laser beam and then gently pulled back, giving the laser eye surgeon the ability to then “sculpt” the corneal tissue to improve the vision. The thin flap is then replaced and the procedure is over.

When the Lasik laser eye surgery is over, the patient, in almost all cases, will discover an improvement in their vision that is immediate and in short order they can get back to their daily lives and routines with very little disruption. The patient will not have any stitches and, in fact, they will walk out of the laser eye surgeon’s office without even a bandage over the eyes. Because of the quick improvement and rapid recovery, some patients have even called the whole process a futuristic, medical marvel.

Bulging Disc – L5s1 – Causes, Symptoms, And Tips For Relief

Symptoms from a herniated disc l5 s1 can vary, and tend to be somewhat stubborn to alleviate. The reason for this is primarily because the treatment options available for this problem are somewhat limited and often ineffective.

With that said, however, there is no need to lose hope – after working with thousands of people suffering with l5 s1 back disc pain, I can tell you from experience that this problem CAN be improved with the proper information and tools.

This article will talk about what a l5-s1 bulging disc is, how it develops, the symptoms related to it, and some simple recommendations you can use from home for relief and healing.

A l5-s1 bulging disc is a problem that occurs in the lower back where one of the discs of the spine becomes injured and weak. The discs of the spine are cushions that separate each set of bones in the back.

They are composed of a strong outer covering called the annulus, and a soft jelly center called the nucleus. In the case of a l5-s1 bulging disc , the outer covering will tear, which causes the nucleus in the center to shift into the area of weakness, resulting in a “bulge” in the wall of the disc.

What’s interesting about this problem is that the symptoms can vary quite dramatically from person to person. The reason for this is because the pain a person experiences with this problem isn’t from the disc itself – it’s from the spinal nerve that the disc bulges upon and applies pressure to.

The spinal nerves control everything in the body, and the symptoms will depend on where the affected nerve is traveling to within the body.

For example, it isn’t uncommon for an individual with a l5-s1 bulging disc to not only experience lower back pain, but also pain traveling into the hips, lets or feet, weakness in the legs, pain shooting up the spine, problems with the sexual organs, as well as problems with the bowel and bladder.

This is all because the nerves that are affected with this problem will control those parts of the body.

The cause of a l5-s1 bulging disc is usually an injury of some sort, but it’s also common for the disc to deteriorate over time and eventually develop this problem. Genetics also plays a role with this problem, so if you have a family member with spinal problems, it is more likely that you will develop the same type of problem.

With this background, let’s talk about the treatment options that are available for relief from l5 s1 back disc pain. Most physicians would begin by recommending medications (usually a combination of pain killers and muscle relaxers), physical therapy, injections (such as epidurals or cortisone), and even surgery in the worst cases.

The success rates of these treatments vary, and are often somewhat disappointing. There are other treatments that can be more successful, but what I’ve found is that it’s actually a combination of treatments that provide the best results.

Some of these therapies can even be done from the comfort of your own home. I’ll be giving you a few simple tips in this article, and then I’ll be providing you with a resource for further information at the end.

The first thing you can do from home for relief is to use ice. Now, I know that sounds pretty simple, but believe it or not, this is actually the one thing I’ve found that people do incorrectly most of the time. Choosing heat, or not utilizing the ice correctly will cause you more pain and will dramatically slow your healing.

The only exception to this rule is if you have severe arthritis in the area of the l5-s1 bulging disc . If this is the case, ice will aggravate the pain. This doesn’t mean you would use heat – there are other options that are better in this case.

For the best results, I would recommend that you use real ice, place the ice directly over the injured disc (even if the pain travels – you want to get to the source of the problem), leave it on for 15 minutes, remove it for 1 hour, and then repeat this process as often as you possibly can during the day.

It usually takes 3 or 4 treatments with ice before you will experience relief, so you need to be consistent even if you aren’t feeling a difference at first. Realistically, it can take 3 to 7 days before you experience significant relief, so don’t give up on this too early.

Once you begin to experience relief from the ice, my next recommendation is an exercise that I use in my clinic for faster results. This exercise is very simple – you want to sit on a therapy ball and gently bounce up and down for 4 – 5 minutes.

Although that sounds odd at first, this activity will pump the affected disc, and bring new oxygen and nutrients to the disc for faster healing.

You can also click here (herniated disc l5 s1) for more information about the most effective treatments for your condition.

Does Weight Management Play a Role in Pre and Post Non-surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy Health?

By Rick Durand

In addition to the millions of back pain sufferers in the United States, there is also a large percentage of the population that is diagnosed as obese. Is there a correlation between the two? Maybe, maybe not. But, for those individuals who are suffering from chronic back pain conditions and have been clinically diagnosed as obese, it is a certainty that weight management may play a vital role in their future health.

It is important to educate the obese chronic back pain patient that has successfully completed non-surgical spinal decompression therapy that they should strive for a healthy bodyweight. Excess bodyweight that creates unnecessary stress on a previously injured intervertebral disc is likely to aggravate the patient’s back injury in the future. Fortunately, weight management is a lifestyle change that can be successfully implemented with the proper education, counseling, and follow up.

Weight management is described as the modification of daily caloric intake versus energy expenditure with the goal of obtaining and maintaining a satisfactory bodyweight. Depending on the patient’s lifestyle and/or career, he or she may have to drastically decrease their daily caloric intake in order to achieve a healthy bodyweight. Weight management is a science, but with the proper caloric intake formula an individual can make the necessary modifications to his/her diet and activity level to obtain and maintain a healthy bodyweight.

How is the proper caloric intake equation formulated? The calculations are as abundant as the number of dieting gurus and the number of dieting books being published on the subject. However, the majority of physicians begin the process by evaluating the patient’s body weight and height. This will determine the patient’s general overweight/underweight condition. This calculation process is defined as the Body Mass Index (BMI). Another factor taken into consideration, along with daily activity levels, is the fact that a patient’s body weight and shape can also be influenced by genetics. Metabolic rate, in some cases, is an example of a genetic factor that is taken into consideration when calculating the proper daily caloric intake for an individual.

Utilizing the Body Mass Index (BMI) and other factors, physicians are able to formulate their caloric intake recommendations.

In conclusion, a patient who is obese and is suffering from a chronic back pain condition should maintain their caloric intake at a level suggested by their physician in order to lower any excess pressure to the spine. Neglecting weight management recommendations could hinder the body’s response to treatment and may aggravate a previous back injury in the future.

If you are suffering from a chronic back pain condition and would like to learn more about a non-surgical treatment alternative, visit us at www.AxiomWorldwide.com.

This article is not intended nor should be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your physician before considering any medical treatment method available.

Rick Durand is the marketing analyst for Axiom Worldwide. To learn more visit our non-surgical spinal decompression therapy news blog, http://www.AxiomAnswers.com

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Selective Endoscopic Discectomy: Extremely Minimally Invasive Surgery

By Elliot Gross

TRANSFORAMINAL SELECTIVE ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY: extremely minimally invasive surgical treatment for lower back and leg pain.

While 95% of people who sustain an injury to their lower back will recover with a combination of conservative treatment and preventative measures there is a small group of patients who fail to respond to these measures.

This article is meant for those patients who remain unhappy with their symptoms and have been advised by their treating physicians that they would have to live with their present symptomatology or undergo extensive spinal surgery. The following information is about SELECTIVE ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY an alternative procedure for those patients who do not want to live with chronic pain, undergo extensive spinal surgery and do not want to have general anesthesia.

The typical patient frequently presents several months or more after having sustained an injury to the lower back with no previous history of any back problems. Initial treatment from the general practitioner, chiropractor or emergency room physician might include that the patient take anti-inflammatory medication, analgesics, muscle relaxants, limit activities and receive physiotherapy. When the patient’s problem did not resolve the patient may have been sent to an orthopedic or neurosurgical specialist who scheduled the patient for an MRI scan that may have revealed one or multiple disc bulges, disc protrusions or disc herniations. The patient may have been provided with additional treatment in the form of a lower back brace and a series of epidural cortisone injections along with specific trunk/abdominal/lower back stabilization exercises or Pilates exercises. While the patient may have noticed some partial improvement with any or all of the above measures he or she may have significant residual lower back pain and radicular pain into one or both of the legs. At that point the patient may have been told that surgical intervention would be necessary in the form of either a micro lumbar laminectomy or a Metrx discectomy under general anesthesia or if the problem was more extensive that a spinal fusion or disc replacement surgery might be indicated.

At that point after thorough review of the patient’s history and performing a complete physical examination and discussing the patient’s MRI scan I might find that the patient could be a candidate for the SELECTIVE ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY procedure if the patient was found to have either a contained lumbar disc protrusion or lumbar disc herniation unassociated with elements of severe arthritic changes. At that point we would recommend to the patient that additional confirmatory testing be performed in the form of a provocative discogram to determine the exact disc that is causing the residual pain and then follow the discogram with a SELECTIVE ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY procedure.

A discogram is an X-ray study performed under flouroscopic control in an outpatient surgical center using local anesthesia. A needle is placed in the center of the abnormal disk and in an adjoining normal disc and a solution consisting of X-ray contrast dye mixed with indigo Carmine blue dye is injected into these discs. Since the patient is awake as the dye causes increasing pressure in the center of the disc most likely this will reproduce the patient symptoms in the back and/or leg pain and also define the abnormal anatomy of the damage disc on the floroscope. If the patient’s symptoms are reproduced by this discogram it is considered a positive concordant discogram and the patient can then be treated with the SELECTIVE ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY either immediately or at a later time if insurance authorization is required.

The SELECTIVE ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY procedure is then performed under local anesthesia with the patient awake and in the prone position on special pillows. A small needle is inserted into the disc space after local anesthesia has been administered. A 7mm (1/4inch) skin incision is made and a spine arthroscope is slipped into the abnormal disc. Under fluoroscopic control, the micro-instruments (mini forceps, mini curettes, and mini cutters-shavers) and the laser probe are used for removal of only the damaged disc material. The laser is used for further removal and shrinkage of the disc for the purpose of disc decompression and tightening up of the annulus. The procedure takes about 30 minutes to an hour per disc, on the average. The amount of disc removed and shrinkage by the laser varies, but includes only the herniated and damaged portion. The supporting structure of the disc is not affected. Upon completion, the probe is removed and a small Band-Aid is applied over the needle incision. Since the patient is awake during the procedure frequently they are interested in watching the monitor as we remove the damage disc material.

After surgery the patient is sent home and advised to use ice packs on the lower back and take mild oral analgesics and rest for few days. Many patients are able to resume work within a few days. The patient are advised prior to the procedure that if the preoperative pain was primarily lower back that in excess of 86% good and excellent results should be expected. If the patient’s pain was back and leg pain good and excellent results should approach 92%.

Most of the time the patient’s return to the office one week later feeling much improved and wanting to know why this procedure was not performed on them earlier and why the procedure works. We believe that this technique is successful because the abnormal portion of the disc that is creating internal pressure against the annulus and nerve root is removed, the fissures in the annulus that allow leakage of disc fluid and material are sealed and tighten up and the constant flow of irrigating saline through the endoscope washes out the irritating damaged metabolites( prostaglandins, histamines,and substance P & X). No deep tissue is cut and generally no bone has to be removed.

The following patients are not candidates for selective endoscopic discectomy:

1. The rare patient than has a disk that has become a fully extruded and migrated up into the spinal canal.

2. The patient has extensive spinal stenosis will need an extensive amount of bone removed which is better done with open surgery.

3. The patient has extensive spinal instability and requires a spinal fusion that must be done with an open procedure.

For those patients who are afraid of having extensive spinal surgery and have been told that they will have to live with their lower back pain, SELECTIVE ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY is an exciting successful minimally invasive surgical alternative procedure that it is performed under local anesthesia and has a very high rate of patient satisfaction. For further information see www.back-surgery-online.com.

Dr. Elliot Gross is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon. His practice focuses on back pain and sciatic pain. He has been in practice in the Los Angeles area since 1975 and he has especially specialized in the care and treatment of injured workers and is a recognized Qualified Medical Examiner and Agreed Medical Examiner. He works closely with all medical providers including chiropractors, internists, physical therapists and accupunturists. His practice coordinates care with claims adjustors, nurse case managers and workers compensation attorneys to provide the best comprehensive recovery program for the injured individual.

Dr. Elliot Gross has a philosophy of treating patients that is extremely conservative. He tries to do the least invasive therapy that will resolve or improve the persons problem. The patient is viewed as a whole being with a strong interaction between the mind and the spirit.

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Treating Your Herniated Disc Pain Without Invasive Surgery

By George Thorry

Patients suffering from chronic back pain due to a herniated disc usually try a succession of recommended and prescribed remedies to help ease their comfort. Because of major advancements in medical technology, now those suffering from this common problem no longer have to live with that pain.

Patients diagnosed with a herniated disc may have pain in the back, leg, neck or arm, or a weakness of the lower extremity muscles. When a disc herniation occurs, the cushion that sits between the spinal vertebrae is pushed outside its normal position. A herniated disc would not be a problem if it weren’t for the spinal nerves that are very close to the edge of these spinal discs.

Causes of Herniated Discs

A herniated disc may occur suddenly in an event such as a fall or an accident, or may occur gradually with repetitive straining of the spine. However, disc material degenerates naturally as you age, and the ligaments that hold it in place begin to weaken. As this degeneration progresses, a relatively minor strain or twisting movement can cause a disc to rupture.

Certain individuals may be more vulnerable to disc problems, and as a result may suffer herniated discs in several places along the spine. Research has shown that a predisposition for herniated discs may exist in families, with several members affected.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary greatly depending on the position of the herniated disc and the size of the herniation. If the herniated disc is not pressing on a nerve, the result may be a low backache or no pain at all. If it is pressing on a nerve, there may be pain, numbness, or weakness in the area of the body to which the nerve travels. Typically, a herniated disc is preceded by an episode of low back pain or a long history of intermittent episodes of low back pain.

Herniated discs are most common in the lumbar spine–the part of your backbone between the bottom of your ribs and your hips. Symptoms include:

· Severe low back pain

· Pain radiating to the buttocks, legs, and feet

· Pain made worse with coughing, straining, or laughing

· Tingling or numbness in legs or feet

· Muscle weakness or atrophy in later stages

· Problems with bowel and bladder

· Muscle spasm

Herniated cervical discs are far less common than lumbar disc herniation because there is substantially less pressure placed across this part of the spine. Symptoms of a herniated cervical disc include:

· Neck pain, especially in the back and sides

· Deep pain near or over the shoulder blades on the affected side

· Pain radiating to the shoulder, upper arm, forearm, and rarely the hand, fingers or chest

· Pain made worse with coughing, straining, or laughing

· Increased pain when bending the neck or turning head to the side

· Spasm of the neck muscles

· Arm muscle weakness

Treatment for Herniated Discs

Fortunately, the majority of herniated discs do not require surgery. However, a very small percentage of people with herniated, degenerated discs may experience symptomatic or severe and incapacitating pain that significantly affects their daily life.

The initial treatment for a herniated disc is usually conservative and nonsurgical. Your doctor may prescribe bed rest, or advise you to maintain a low, painless activity level for a few days to several weeks. This helps the spinal nerve inflammation to decrease.

Traditional conservative treatments include ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, cortisone injections, anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy. While these may deliver some relief, it will usually be only temporary.

But the major concern with these traditional treatments is that they cannot fix or heal a herniated disc as they do not address the actual cause of the problem.

Individuals who undergo a series of open back surgeries or fusion surgeries for herniated disc pain experience a lower level of pain relief. Up to 30% of those who undergo surgery have unsatisfactory results, as stated in a Practice Guideline developed for the Aerospace Medical Association by the American Society of Aerospace Medicine Specialists. Herniated disc open or fusion surgery is an involved procedure whose high failure rate can produce more pain than relief.

New Technology Speeds Return to Active Lifestyle

With advances in science and technology, there are alternatives to open or fusion spine surgeries. A proven alternative for helping to alleviate the pain of a herniated disc is The Bonati Procedures(sm).

The Bonati Procedures are advanced spine surgeries developed and perfected by The Bonati Institute®. The procedures employ the smallest incision possible to correct problems of the lumbar, cervical and thoracic spine with patented instrumentation and methods. The Bonati Procedures are performed sequentially as outpatient surgeries with the patient under local anesthesia and alert and able to communicate with the surgeon throughout the procedure. The result of this approach is far less trauma to the muscles and tissues, minimal blood loss and faster recovery. The Bonati Procedures are performed only at The Bonati Institute.

Consider all options

Before you agree to undergo any back surgery, consider getting a second opinion from a qualified spine specialist.

This article was written by George Thorry, Director of Marketing for The Bonati Institute, a leading center for advanced endoscopic laser spine surgery. The medical complex occupies an 11-acre campus in Hudson, Florida, and includes The Institute’s Diagnostic and Clinical Services Center, Surgical Center, Neurology Center, Pain Management Center, Physical Therapy Center and Imaging Center. “Bonati,” “The Bonati Procedures,” and “The Bonati Institute” are service marks and are the property of The Bonati Institute. For more information, please visit http://www.bonati.com

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The Advantages of Arthroscopic Spine Procedures

By David Betz

Until the turn of the century, people who had back injuries could choose between often ineffective medical treatments and potentially risky surgical treatments. Quite a few chose to live with the pain. In the past decade, spinal surgeons have begun to use minimally invasive arthroscopic spine procedures to treat back injuries, which have important advantages over traditional surgical treatment for back injuries.

Pain. People who have arthroscopic spine procedures have less post-operative pain and, in some cases, get better pain relief than with open surgery. Arthroscopic spine procedures can often reverse the pain from failed back surgery, too.

No general anesthesia. Arthroscopic spine procedures are done without anesthesia, avoiding the associated risks. This is especially important for high risk patients with lung or heart disease.

The patient is awake and communicative. Patients are sedated and sleepy, but easily arousable. They can participate by following directions and telling the surgeon when their pain is relieved.

There is less tissue trauma. Instead of cutting through muscles and other tissue around the spine, the surgeon nudges the tissue out of the way with the endoscope. That means there’s less pain, less damage to muscles, less scarring after surgery and less risk of bleeding or infection.

Shorter hospitalization. Arthroscopic spine procedures can usually be done as a day surgery. If hospitalization is required, it is much shorter than with open back surgery.

Faster recovery. Most people go home the same day and recover pretty quickly. Most can return to light activities within the first week. Complete recovery can take 6-8 weeks, as opposed to several months with surgery.

Direct microscopic imaging of the injured area. The surgeon has a much better view of the operative area and the view is magnified. It is not obscured by blood or other tissue.

Microsurgical capability. The surgeon can perform intricate procedures in very small areas. Instead of performing a laminectomy and removing the lamina, he can perform a laminotomy and delicately remove small slices of bone around the nerve root to relieve pressure.

Of course, there are some potential risks to arthroscopic spine procedures, too, although the risk is considerably smaller than with open surgery. Infection and bleeding can still occur. There can be complications from intravenous fluids or the medications used for sedation, and some people have muscle spasms for a few days after surgery.

Some spinal problems are not suitable for treatment with arthroscopic spine procedures and sometimes the patient and surgeon will have to determine whether it’s better to have one open surgery or multiple arthroscopic spine procedures.

We can expect the use of arthroscopic spine procedures to continue to increase as the technology improves and surgeons become even more proficient with using it.

David Betz is a consultant doing work for Laser Spine Surgery
http://www.laserspineinstitute.com and

Houston Web Site Design http://www.novatexsolutions.com

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