Specializing in Endoscopic Spine Surgery
What is endoscopic spine surgery?
Endoscopic spinal surgery is the newest type of minimally invasive spine surgery. During an endoscopic procedure, Dr. Virella uses a light and a very small camera or microscope to visualize and operate on the spine. This type of approach is beneficial because it allows Dr. Virella to make a smaller incision and it causes less damage to surrounding muscles and soft tissues. Patients who undergo endoscopic spine surgery recover quickly, experience less post-surgical pain, and have a less noticeable scar.
Dr. Virella performs endoscopic cervical spine surgery and endoscopic lumbar spine surgery to treat neck, back, and extremity pain. He frequently performs the following procedures:
Each procedure is performed using live x-ray (fluoroscopy) and as previously mentioned a light and camera or microscope. Dilating tubes of varying sizes are used to gently move muscles and soft tissues away from the area that is being operated on. Tiny instruments are used to perform the operation. In most cases, the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.
What conditions does endoscopic spine surgery treat?
Spinal stenosis and a herniated disc are the two most common conditions that can be treated using endoscopic spine surgery. Symptoms that are caused by these conditions usually are related to the pinching or compression of the spinal cord or a spinal nerve root. The most common symptoms include:
- Neck or back pain
- Extremity weakness
- Extremity numbness and/or tingling
The goal of surgery is to decompress the nerve. Patients who choose Dr. Virella as their endoscopic spine surgery doctor/surgeon can look forward to symptom relief in a very short period of time. Patients who are experiencing symptoms are encouraged to
make an appointment with Dr. Virella. Once their condition is officially diagnosed, endoscopic spine treatment/procedure options will be recommended and they will be on their way to living a symptom-free life.
Anthony Virella, MD
Anthony Virella, MD is a Board-Certified, Fellowship Trained Neurological Spine Surgeon with advanced training in the management spinal disorders. He is also a graduate of the UCLA Neurosurgery Residency Program and completed his Complex Spine Resident Fellowship at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Additional work included a second Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at the UCLA Comprehensive Spine Center. Dr. Virella is a nationally recognized spine specialist and has authored numerous articles and lectured nationally and internationally in the field of Complex and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery.
