JACKSON, TN. A new, less-invasive option for treating certain spine conditions is now available in Jackson after West Tennessee Healthcare neurosurgeon Robert Dunwoody, MD, became the first physician in Jackson to perform an endoscopic spine procedure using advanced endoscopic spine technology.
Dr. Dunwoody, a neurosurgeon with West Tennessee Medical Group Neuroscience & Spine, specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery, including endoscopic spinal procedures. The new technique allows him to reach and treat areas of the spine through a very small incision while minimizing disruption to the surrounding muscles and tissue.
The procedure uses specialized technology from Arthrex, including an endoscope approximately the width of a pencil and a high-resolution camera that gives the surgeon a direct view of the area being treated.
For patients, the smaller approach can mean less disruption to the muscles surrounding the spine, less postoperative pain and the potential for a faster recovery and return to normal activities. Depending on the procedure and the individual patient, most endoscopic spine surgeries can also be performed on an outpatient basis.
“This gives us another option for treating patients who may benefit from spine surgery without having to use a more traditional open approach,” said Dunwoody. “Being able to see and treat the problem through such a small opening allows us to minimize the impact on the healthy tissue around it, which can make a real difference for patients as they recover.”
Endoscopic spine surgery can be used to treat certain conditions including herniated discs and spinal stenosis, two common causes of back pain and nerve-related symptoms. Not every patient or spine condition is appropriate for an endoscopic approach, and treatment is determined based on each patient’s diagnosis and individual needs.
For Dunwoody, bringing this procedure to Jackson is part of a larger focus on using advanced surgical techniques to help patients recover more quickly, minimize discomfort and improve their quality of life. Dunwoody sees patients at West Tennessee Medical Group Neuroscience & Spine, located at 700 West Forest Avenue in Jackson. About West Tennessee Healthcare: West Tennessee Healthcare is a public, not-for-profit healthcare system with locations serving 19 counties in West Tennessee and Southeast Missouri. The mission of West Tennessee Healthcare is to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve while providing exceptional and compassionate care. For more information, visit www.wth.org.
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