It's only natural to have questions about the processes and procedures at Laser Spine Institute. Check out the FAQs below and feel free to call us with any additional questions at
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Simply fill out the form on the right or give us a call at the number shown. You will then be contacted by one of our patient advocates who will answer all your questions at a time convenient to you. Following the call, if you would like a Free MRI/CT Scan Review to determine if you would be a candidate for an LSI procedure, simply fax your MRI Report to us for review by our medical staff. You will then receive a follow up call to discuss your specific condition and what LSI procedure(s) would be most beneficial to you. There is no cost for the MRI Review or to speak with our staff about any questions you may have.
Because LSI procedures are outpatient surgery, you do not stay overnight at LSI. If you are from out of town, LSI will assist you in booking a hotel room close by. (There are numerous options located within 1 mile of the Laser Spine Institute). The LSI 5 day process includes two pre-op days of testing, the surgery, followed by two days of physical therapy. If a 2nd surgery is required, the process would repeat. Please note that pre-op testing does not have to be repeated if more surgery is required within a 30 day time frame. Generally speaking, patients can expect to stay in our area for 1 week per surgery.
The very first day after your procedure is when physical therapy begins. We recommend that for about six weeks you do not lift anything over 10-15 pounds. We suggest that patients gradually return to normal activities to allow the body to heal. Patients that have desk jobs can usually return to work within just a few days, while patients with more physically strenuous jobs should allow six weeks, depending on the job. If you limit your physical exertion for those first 6 weeks, you may return to work right away and then resume normal working activities after the 6 weeks have passed.
Your patient advocate will happily assist you in making arrangements, but after your surgery, you will need to have someone drive you home or stay with you at a local hotel if you are from out of town. You will also need to bring all medications with you that you are currently taking.
The procedures that LSI offers are sophisticated and because they are difficult to master, take years of training. Currently, LSI is on the forefront of this cutting edge medical technology and in the future we expect these procedures to become standard practice for surgical intervention of spinal conditions around the world. Until then, LSI is here to help stop the pain and suffering people with spinal conditions are experiencing in the most effective, efficient and minimally invasive way possible.
Given the precise nature of the surgery, a highly skilled and well-trained surgeon is required to utilize the laser as a primary surgical instrument through a small incision. Currently these procedures are not taught in medical school, but must be learned by professionals trained by a certified doctor who is a master of minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery. LSI is fortunate to have 8 such certified surgeons on staff.
Yes, you may request a specific surgeon, however because we are a team of specialists, we cannot guarantee that a specific surgeon will perform your procedure.
In order to fulfill all of the medical appointments and diagnostic testing, we find it medically necessary that patients visit us for 5 operational business days. Please note that we are open Monday through Saturday and an on-call service is available for weekends. Because LSI is an all-inclusive out-patient facility, we offer the same amount of appointments in 5 days that would take months to complete through traditional channels.
Yes, to ensure the wellbeing of our patients, it is required that each patient have someone to be with them the day of their surgery. We require that for the first 24 hours after surgery, a relative or friend of legal age be present with the patient. If a patient cannot bring anyone with them, then a local nurse must be hired by the patient.
No, because our procedures are minimally invasive, recovery time has been reduced to a matter of days. Our medical assistants and nurses will remain in contact with you by phone to track your progress at 2, 6, and 12 weeks and answer any questions you may have. Also, your primary care physician will handle the removal of your sutures after approximately two weeks.
A portion of the bulging disc or herniation will be removed if it is pressing on an exiting nerve or the spinal cord and symptoms are present. Typically, however, widening the foraminal or spinal canals will relieve pressure on the nerves without removing any portion of the disc.
Following the appropriate interdisciplinary plan of care for a patient who is not experiencing relief over time, the patient may be reevaluated to see what additional procedures, if any, may be necessary.
LSI's approach differs primarily with how we reach the spine. Our endoscopic method minimizes trauma to the body and speeds up healing. Beyond the surgery itself, LSI sets itself apart from other treatment centers with its world-renowned surgical staff, personal care from our nursing staff, and state of the art facilities.
At the Laser Spine Institute, we use the most advanced and latest technology to perform minimally invasive spinal procedures. These are designed to treat patients with spinal conditions in such a way that minimizes blood loss, scarring and scar tissue.
Compared to traditional open back surgery, the risks of surgical complications with our procedures are generally very low. Our surgeries only require a very small incision, which makes them minimally invasive. Also, because the incision is so small, its rare that patients experience post operative infection at the incision site. Furthermore, our procedures do not use general anesthesia, which to some patients can be can be a high risk.
Patients are sedated and comfortable for the duration of all of our spine procedures. Following sedation by IV, local anesthetic is given at the surgical site while IV medications are used to ensure the patient is comfortable. During the spinal procedure, patients are able to communicate with the surgical team and relate to the team when their pain has been alleviated and when impulses are moving the entire length of the nerve.
Yes, our procedures are very effective for both of these conditions. Our surgeons can relieve symptoms and pain by removing impingements to the foraminal or spinal canal, thus freeing the nerve.
Because pain in the back or neck is unique to each patient, the amount of surgery required will be determined in the initial evaluation. Most patients require just one surgery, but SOME have multiple procedures performed in one session, such as a laminotomy and a foraminotomy.
Yes, typically we can help you. Actually, a high percentage of LSI patients have either had failed back surgeries or are experiencing new spinal conditions as a result of fusions. LSI's procedures can correct the majority of spinal conditions and can remove hardware and scar tissue from past surgeries.
Within 2 weeks of coming in for surgery, you must not take any anti-inflammatory or aspirin-related drugs, nor any medications that contain these, as they thin your blood. Consult your doctor before stopping your medication, especially Coumadin, which is a potent blood thinner. Please inform us of all medications that you are taking, as our staff will provide you with detailed instructions before and after your procedure.
It is recommended that patients who have had a cervical procedure wear a cervical collar when traveling (in a car or plane) or for support when desired for a week after surgery.
At LSI, we use an endoscopic approach to open up the spinal canal for laminotomies, which does not require general anesthesia. A laminotomy is a surgical procedure that relieves pressure on the spinal canal for the exiting spinal cord and nerve root. This increases the amount of available space for the neural tissue and thus releases the nerve(s). The term laminotomy comes from the Latin lamina (bony plate that covers the posterior arch of the vertebra) and -otomy (act of cutting, incision). A different surgical procedure called a laminectomy is used in traditional open back surgeries, which LSI does not perform. This procedure involves removing the lamina to increase the amount of available space for the neural tissue. The term laminectomy refers to the Latin lamina (thin place, sheet, or layer), and -ectomy (removal).
LSI does not directly contract with third party insurance. Our services can be reimbursed to the patient if he or she has out of network benefits. We will verify your individual insurance benefits before you arrive so you will know what your financial responsibility will be.
We choose not to be in contract (or in network) with insurance companies to ensure we do not back bill our patients after their surgery. Our billing department works diligently to secure the maximum reimbursement allowable for each patient and even has an appeals department backed by historical research to aid in this effort.
Although we cannot guarantee the exact amount, our patient advocates do provide each patient with the appropriate CPT codes for each service provided to use in contacting their insurance provider. Patients can use these codes to get an estimate from their provider of the amount for which they will be reimbursed.
Most of the time workers' compensation carriers pay only at state fee schedule rates. Unfortunately at LSI, our procedures cannot be reimbursed at state fee schedule rates. The cost of evaluation and treatment will need to be approved prior to the actual evaluation.
Please send an email that includes the adjuster's name, phone number, your name, and your claim number to the LSI's Workers' Comp department at wcinfo@laserspineinstitute.com
You can discuss this with your claims examiner or adjuster, but in most states, in order for you to receive treatment at a new facility, you will need a referral from your treating doctor.
Although we would like to work with injured federal employees, we are unable to accommodate the federal fee schedule reductions and are not part of ACS. We recommend speaking with your claims examiner to discuss out of network treatment.
Pain shouldn't be a part of your daily routine.
Request a Free MRI or CTScan Review** now and learn how you can avoid open back and neck surgery.
Simply complete the form to the right or call the number below to get in contact with a qualified LSI Patient Coordinator.
