Spinal Endoscopy

Spinal endoscopy is the placement of a small spinal endoscope into the spinal canal to remove scar tissue.

The spinal canal can be visualized and a small probe is used to remove scar tissue and relieve entrapped nerves.

The procedure is done under local or regional anesthetic, and takes approximately one hour.

Indications for spinal endoscopy include intraspinal scar tissue, failed back surgery, and chronic back pain. A large percentage of patients upon whom this procedure is performed will get complete resolution of symptoms; another percentage will get partial resolution of symptoms; and a small percentage may experience no real improvement at all. Most of our patients have experienced significant long-term pain relief.

If there is improvement from the spinal endoscopy, it likely will occur over the next several weeks. The improvement should not be expected immediately. The patient will be seen back in the office in 1-2 weeks following the procedure to evaluate the spine and begin a rehabilitation program.

Patients may experience discomfort in the low back for one to three weeks.

Side effects and adverse reactions are very rare. Some of these potential (uncommon) side effects are headache, nausea, vomiting, persistent pain, fever, and excessive draining at the injection site.

Patients will typically experience mild diffuse back pain for 1-3 weeks after the procedure.