Laser Spine Surgery for Spinal Arthritis in Tampa, Florida
Spinal Arthritis Treatment That Actually Addresses the Source
If you've been living with spinal arthritis, there's a good chance you've been told there isn't much that can be done. Spinal arthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic neck and back pain, and yet it's also one of the most undertreated conditions in spine care. Many patients are dismissed with a prescription, sent to pain management, or advised to manage symptoms they're told will only get worse. At 360 Ortho & Spine, that conversation goes differently.
Dr. Stefan Prada offers the laser procedure for spinal arthritis, also known as laser facet nerve ablation, a minimally invasive treatment that targets the sensory nerves within the affected facet joints and ablates them to stop the pain signals they are sending to the brain. Unlike pain management or recurring therapies that only mask symptoms temporarily, this is a permanent procedure that addresses the source of arthritic spine pain directly. It requires only a 2 millimeter puncture incision, causes minimal disruption to surrounding muscle and tissue, and involves no metal implants. Dr. Prada has performed this procedure for patients with spinal arthritis, facet disease, and whiplash-related facet joint damage from across the country and internationally.
If you have been told your spinal arthritis cannot be treated, we'd like to show you another option. Request a consultation at 360 Ortho & Spine today.
How to Treat Spinal Arthritis with Laser Spine Surgery
What to Know About Laser Facet Nerve Ablation
The facet joints are small joints located on the back of each vertebra that allow the spine to bend, rotate, and flex. Like any joint in the body, the cartilage within the facet joints can degenerate over time, leading to bone-on-bone contact, inflammation, and pain. This condition goes by several names: facet disease, facet hypertrophy, facet syndrome, and facet arthropathy. When the facet joints become inflamed, the sensory nerves within them continuously send pain signals to the brain, causing localized or radiating discomfort that often worsens with activity or changes in position. It is a condition that many providers consider untreatable. At 360 Ortho & Spine, it isn't.
How the Laser Procedure Works
The laser procedure for spinal arthritis uses heat energy delivered through a laser to ablate, or permanently destroy, the sensory nerves within the affected facet joints. With the source of the pain signal interrupted, patients experience lasting relief from arthritic spine pain that conservative treatments cannot provide. Laser ablation generally does not require repeating every year like radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
Dr. Prada performs the procedure through a small incision using laparoscopic guidance to precisely target the affected facet joints. Unlike chiropractic cold laser therapy, which applies low-level light to the surface for temporary symptom relief, this is a surgical procedure that permanently addresses the nerves responsible for the pain. The surrounding muscle and soft tissue are preserved, recovery is faster than traditional surgery, and no metal implants are involved.
Conditions Treated with Laser Facet Nerve Ablation
The laser procedure for spinal arthritis may be appropriate for patients diagnosed with:
- Spinal arthritis: Degeneration of the facet joints causing chronic neck or back pain
- Whiplash injury : Trauma-induced facet joint damage that causes persistent pain resembling arthritic symptoms
- Facet hypertrophy, facet disease, or facet syndrome
What to Expect After Your Procedure
Because the laser procedure is performed through a small incision without significant disruption to surrounding tissue, recovery is considerably faster than conventional open surgery. Most patients experience a meaningful reduction in arthritic spine pain following the procedure. During your consultation, Dr. Prada will walk you through what the recovery process and expected outcomes look like for your specific case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of spinal arthritis?
Spinal arthritis symptoms typically include localized pain in the neck or lower back, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. In more advanced cases, the inflammation can cause pain that radiates into the arms or legs, mimicking symptoms of nerve compression. Symptoms often worsen with activity, prolonged sitting or standing, and changes in weather. If you have been living with chronic back or neck pain that hasn't responded to conservative treatment, spinal arthritis may be the underlying cause.
What causes spinal arthritis, and can it be treated?
Spinal arthritis is most often caused by the natural degeneration of the facet joints over time, though it can also develop as the result of trauma, such as a whiplash injury. The condition is frequently undertreated because many providers consider it an inevitable part of aging with limited treatment options. At 360 Ortho & Spine, Dr. Prada offers laser facet nerve ablation, a permanent procedure that targets the affected nerves directly rather than managing symptoms temporarily.
How is laser facet nerve ablation different from other spinal arthritis treatments?
Most spinal arthritis treatments, including medication, injections, and chiropractic therapy, address symptoms without treating the source. Laser facet nerve ablation at 360 Ortho & Spine permanently ablates the sensory nerves within the affected facet joints, stopping pain signals at their origin. This is not a recurring therapy but a single, minimally invasive procedure performed without metal implants that provides lasting relief for qualifying patients. Unlike radiofrequency ablations, the laser ablation does not need to be repeated every year.
How do I find laser spine surgery near me for spinal arthritis?
Finding a spine specialist near you who offers laser facet nerve ablation for spinal arthritis can be challenging. Many practices offer temporary pain management solutions rather than this kind of targeted, permanent procedure. Scheduling with Dr. Prada at 360 Ortho & Spine in Tampa, Florida, is simple: request a consultation online or call our office directly. Our team will follow up promptly, and we look forward to helping you find lasting relief.