Scar Tissue Column
Why Scar Tissue Causes Back Pain
When scar tissue forms near the nerve root, it’s called epidural fibrosis. Epidural fibrosis is a common occurrence after back surgeries. This is so common that it often occurs in patients with both successful surgical outcomes as well as patients that continue to have the leg and back pain they felt before the surgery.
What is Scar Tissue
The fibrous tissue that the body creates to replace damaged skin is called a scar. Scars are also know as cicatrices and are formed as a biological response for repairing skin and other tissue damage in the human body. Although they are most often not considered pretty to look at, a scar is a natural part of the body’s healing process. Every wound will result in some form of scarring dependant on its severity.
Surgery for Scar Tissue Removal
Many people suffer from the pain of scar tissue in the back and often wonder how to remove scar tissue. A laminotomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that removes painful scar tissue.
Percutaneous Discectomy Procedure to Prevent Scar Tissue in the Back
The goal of the percutaneous discectomy is to achieve pain relief through the removal of damaged material that is placing pressure on the never root or spinal cord.
When a traditional percutaneous arthroscopic laser discectomy is preformed, the surgeon is aided with the use of X-Ray monitoring and fiber optics that result in a picture being displayed on a monitor. With this technique the surgeon is able to follow the progress in a real time environment seeing the nerve that is being compressed by the herniated disc material. This allows the surgeon the ability to be certain that the material he or she is vaporizing with the laser is correct and providing a much higher rate of success.
What Causes Scar Tissue
Scar tissue forms mostly in muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and joints. This is dead fibrotic tissues which is also called an adhesion.
Scar Tissue Symptoms
When dealing with the word heal in this article we will think of that word in relation to when scar tissue is loaded up on the location of a traumatic injury. The scar tissue known as fibrosis usually decreases the natural movement of the injured area and gives a “tethered” effect. A few other common joints that can be affected by fibrosis include the knee, hip, elbow, wrist, and ankle or should joints.
Scar Tissue Removal
Scar tissue forming near the nerve root is called epidural fibrosis. This epidural fibrosis is a common occurrence after back surgery has been preformed. The formation of scar tissue is part of a normal healing process the body goes through after spine surgery. Unfortunately the build-up of this scar tissue can cause nerve impingements causing back pain and/or leg pain. There are successful procedures performed by surgeons called a Laminotomy.
Prevent Scar Tissue
Scar tissue after back surgery is a problem that researchers have been trying to find a way to prevent. This study that I read is the first known study to include humans. Low-dose radiation is being used as a treatment for scar tissue build up. After 24 hours the radiation process takes place followed by a second operation to remove the scar tissue.
Minimally Invasive Surgery to Help Prevent Scar Tissue
Minimally invasive surgery is an advanced technology used to treat spinal conditions with minimal scar tissue in the spine formation, blood loss, and no implemented hardware (fusion materials) that can cause possible complications.
To fully understand the difference between conventional open back surgery and minimally invasive surgery we should compare the two.