Accurascope sounds interesting...

[longroadahead]

Have been watching the videos on the website and this procedure seems very interesting. They claim the go though the natuaral opening of the spine and therefore can see exactly what is causing the pain. There are several youtube testomonials but there from North American Spine.

AccuraScope™ D.N.D. at North American Spine is a Minimally Invasive, Natural Opening procedure used to both diagnose and treat Inter-vertebral discs and Spinal Stenosis.

http://www.northamericanspine.com

[longroadahead]

Am on new insurance now so am checking on the cost of this again. Like what I find on the net when seaching so far...

Last year the cost was $20k.

[CharlesinCharge]

Looks like a good procedure using cutting edge technology, but it does not seem a lot different from a Microdiscectomy (where they use an Endoscope to go through a small incision and visualize the disc) except they are going through the spinal canal. To me, the problem seems to be that if you have a bulging or herniated disc or just small tears in the disc then this method will work (as does a Microdiscectomy), because the pain is fixed by releasing the pressure on the nerve or repairing the small tears. BUT, if you have Degenerative Disc Disease and the disc(s) are beyond repair (which is true for most all of us that are recommended for ADR surgery), there is no way to fix the disc. This procedure might be better than a discogram for CONFIRMING that the pain is coming from a degenerated disc, but once your disc(s) have degeneraged to a certain point, they cannot be repaired no matter how well the surgeon can visualize or access them. They have to be removed, and that means a fusion or ADR surgery.

So, I would be very careful about having the procedure as anything more than a diagnostic one, unless the damage to your discs is minor. If you have been recommended for ADR, this does not seem like a suitable alternative because no matter what technology they use to get in and look at the discs, they are beyond repair.

Just my two cents,

[jporter]

I just came across this post and thought i would reply. I had the acurascope procedure. If you were interested in my outcome pm me. I have had lower back pain since 1992 and have gone through all kinds of procedures none working. This has helped me!

[longroadahead]

My insurance will not cover it and at $19.5k is a little too much for me considering it is not guaranteed.

Just for discussion purposes though what did they say was wrong with your back after the procedure?

[jporter]

The doctor said I had a lot of disc material and scar tissue that he had to remove on my right side but was unable to check my left side because he had already been in there for 45 mins. Not sure what the time had to do with not checking my left side. A day after the procedure I fell at the grocery store and reinjured my back so now I am in alot of pain again and not sure if the procedure did work now. I had facet injections done Dec 30 due to the injury at the store and I believe that it helped but now 6 mths from the time I had the acurascope done I am still on pain meds and unable to walk quite often. Not a very happy person right now.

[Shane]

Has anyone else had this procedure?



Shane

[Keano16]

They use Th:Yag laser energy. Whats that? How come google does not have ANY site about it?

[Harrison]

Just kind of boring! ; )

Nd:YAG laser - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Keano16]

Can you please tell me what are you talking about?

Accurascope uses Th:Yag laser energy.

Nd:YAG is something completely different and is used intradiscally by method of Choy and Ascher founded in 1986, in Austria.