Twin Cities Spine Center (TC Spine) is occasionally asked about laser spine surgery. This is likely because of the heavy advertising by some out-of-state practices that used to perform it.
Why We Don't Offer Laser Spine Surgery
Due to the lack of high-quality studies regarding the application of laser technologies in spine surgery, TC Spine surgeons do not endorse or offer laser spine surgery as an alternative to other advanced minimally invasive spine surgeries or conventional spine surgery. While the high-quality hospitals we work with do have laser instruments available, TC Spine's surgeons' decision not to use them for spine procedures aligns with the North American Spine Society (NASS)* noncoverage policy for laser spine surgery.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) published this article in the April 2019 issue of AAOS Now: The Death of Lasers in Spine Surgery? Studies challenge the effectiveness of laser-assisted procedures Read the article to learn more about our decision not to use lasers.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Without Lasers
TC Spine DOES offer various minimally invasive spine surgery approaches that do not use lasers and are accepted and approved for payment by most major insurance carriers.
*NASS is a global medical society that utilizes education, research and advocacy to foster the highest-quality, ethical, and value- and evidence-based spine care for patients.