AccuraScope™ Research Shows Significant Benefits

DALLAS, Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- North American Spine, the owner of the AccuraScope™ procedure, is breaking new medical ground in the study of pain mapping techniques that will change the way consumers choose minimally invasive procedures or treatments for pain. The AccuraScope™ procedure diagnoses and treats back pain with real time visualization. It has the capability to uncover problem areas not visible in an MRI such as acute and chronic inflammation, especially around torn or herniated discs and subsequent scarring due to these inflammation changes and torn disc disruptions.  

The Journal of Neurosurgical Review, an independent, academic peer-reviewed publication founded by 8 of the leading U.S. national academic departments of neurosurgery, has just published an in-depth survey of the various types of minimally invasive back surgeries including the AccuraScope™ procedure (epidural endoscopic disc and neural decompression). In this review, this minimally invasive approach is reported to effectively improve patients with back and leg pain more than 80 percent of the time. In the upcoming Journal of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management, Special Supplement Sept/Oct 2011, similar results are reported.

"The technology to deal with back pain has dramatically evolved over the last 30 years. More than 65 million Americans suffer from back pain every year – it's the second most common reason for a doctor visit," said Dr. Erich Richter, Residency Program Director, Neurosurgery Department of Louisiana State University. "For some of those patients, the AccuraScope may provide the pain relief they seek with less unwanted side effects and recovery time."

The 45-60 minute procedure begins with a tiny incision at the sacral hiatus – the tail bone – which allows a flexible endoscope to move through the entire anterior lumbar epidural space, checking for herniated or bulging discs, and spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine around the neural elements), degenerative disc disease and other problems that cause back pain.  Patients are usually up and around the day of surgery and return to normal activity, including exercise, within a couple of weeks.

About North American Spine

Through its consortium of world-class partner physicians, North American Spine helps people overcome chronic debilitating back pain with the innovative AccuraScope™ Discectomy and Neural Decompression (DND)—a minimally invasive procedure that facilitates the simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of bulging discs, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica, arthritis and other sources of lower back pain. North American Spine's technologically advanced approach allows physicians to treat multiple lumbar levels in a single procedure, with a single incision. Most importantly, it enables countless individuals to enjoy life pain free. To date, more than 5,000 AccuraScope procedures have been performed by our board-certified partner physicians with specialty training in interventional pain management. North American Spine is a privately held company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. To learn more, visit www.northamericanspine.com.

SOURCE North American Spine