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~ SPINAL BONE SPUR REMOVAL ~

Spinal Bone Spur Removal and be warranted, Dr. Liu says. The go-to
Recovery Time: What You Should Know surgical procedure for the problem is
Endoscopic Spine Surgeon Dr. Kaixuan known as an endoscopic foraminotomy, a
Liu with Atlantic Spine Center offers tips minimally invasive, same-day procedure
on bone spurs, how they’re removed, and that doesn’t require general anesthesia.
what to expect during recovery
“The surgeon makes a small incision in
Bone spurs can develop in several parts the back to insert a surgical tube, through
of the body, but when they grow on the which the surgeon can access the bone
spine and cause severe symptoms, spur and clean it away using surgical
removing them is an option. Luckily, the tools,” he explains. “Endoscopic
recovery time from this surgical foraminotomy is a highly effective
procedure usually proceeds quickly and surgery for bone spur removal and comes
smoothly, according to Endoscopic Spine with a high success rate.”
Surgeon Kaixuan Liu, MD, PhD, founder
and president of Atlantic Spine Center. What can you expect from recovery?
Because an endoscopic foraminotomy to
Typically developing over time due to a remove spinal bone spurs doesn’t require
fracture, pressure, friction or stresses in general anesthesia or an overnight
the spine – like those that occur with hospital stay, patients get a head start on
aging or arthritis – bone spurs in the back recovery. “Many patients remark that
or neck can become painful if they grow their bone spur symptoms in their leg or
inward, pressing on nerve roots. When arm are already improving even as the
that happens, nerve pain can range from procedure is being completed,” Dr. Liu
mild to severe and should be evaluated by says.
a doctor, says Dr. Liu, who is fellowship-
trained in minimally invasive spine Full recovery from bone spur removal,
surgery. however, takes a bit longer – roughly 10
days to a few weeks, he notes. And much
“As a bone spur develops and starts to of that recovery timeline is up to the
compress surrounding nerves and blood patient.
vessels, symptoms such as numbness,
tingling and pain often follow,” he “Following your doctor’s guidelines for
explains. “When the condition worsens, activities to avoid or exercises to do to
severe nerve compression can result in help your spine heal properly is very
muscle weakness and a loss of important,” Dr. Liu says, noting that
coordination that make bone spur recovery time would be longer if a more
removal surgery a logical choice. In rare invasive type of surgery is necessary to
cases, the compression can affect bowel remove the bone spur.
and bladder function as well as cause
numbness in and around the groin area, “It’s key to be patient as you recover,”
signaling a medical emergency that he adds. “Doing too much too soon can
requires immediate surgery.” slow your recovery time and make getting
better much harder. But the good news is,
How are bone spurs removed? bone spur removal surgery in the spine
After a thorough diagnostic process that greatly helps the vast majority of patients
may involve a physical examination, quickly get back to living with no pain
nerve sensation tests and imaging scans, and more enjoyment of everyday
spinal bone spurs are typically treated activities.”
conservatively at first, Dr. Liu says. Non-
surgical treatment often includes Atlantic Spine Center is a nationally
measures such as taking NSAIDs recognized leader for endoscopic spine
(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) surgery with several locations in New
and other pain medications; physical Jersy and New York City
therapy; rest; activity modifications; and www.atlanticspinecenter.com,
epidural steroid injections. www.atlanticspinecenter.nyc
But if 6 to 8 weeks of conservative
treatment fail to relieve spinal bone spur Kaixuan Liu, MD, PhD, is a board-
pain and it’s severely limiting your certified physician who is fellowship-
activities, bone spur removal surgery may trained in minimally invasive spine
surgery at Atlantic Spine Center.

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