Endoscopic Spine Surgery in Oklahoma City
Endoscopic spine surgery uses a tiny camera and specialized instruments to treat certain spine problems through very small incisions. Dr. Jeffrey A. Moore offers endoscopic and other minimally invasive options when they are the safest and most effective way to relieve nerve pressure and reduce pain.
- Tiny incisions
- Camera-guided visualization
- Targeted nerve decompression
- Minimally invasive options
Endoscopic techniques are powerful tools, but they are not right for every condition. Dr. Moore helps you understand when they make sense — and when another approach would be safer.
What Is Endoscopic Spine Surgery?
Endoscopic spine surgery is a form of minimally invasive surgery that uses a thin tube with a camera (endoscope) and specialized instruments to reach the spine through a very small incision. The camera projects a magnified image onto a screen, allowing the surgeon to work with excellent visualization while disturbing less normal tissue.
The main goals are to:
- Relieve pressure on spinal nerves or the spinal cord.
- Preserve as much normal bone, muscle, and ligament as possible.
- Reduce postoperative pain and speed up early recovery.
Conditions That May Be Treated with Endoscopic Techniques
Not every spine condition is appropriate for endoscopic surgery, but in the right situation, it can be a powerful option. Depending on your anatomy and imaging findings, endoscopic techniques may be considered for:
Removing the disc fragment that presses on a nerve in the lower back or neck using a small, camera-guided approach.
Widening tight nerve passages where nerves exit the spine, which can reduce arm or leg pain that follows a specific nerve path.
In select cases, endoscopic decompression can be used to remove thickened ligament and bone that crowd the spinal canal.
When a previously treated disc herniates again, a focused endoscopic approach may be possible, depending on scar tissue and anatomy.
Endoscopic methods can sometimes be applied in both the cervical and lumbar spine when access and safety allow.
In some cases, endoscopy can be used to confirm the cause of symptoms and treat small, localized problems at the same time.
Potential Benefits and Important Limitations
Endoscopic surgery is not “magic,” but in appropriate cases, it may offer important advantages:
- Smaller incisions and less visible scarring.
- Less muscle disruption compared to some open procedures.
- Potential for less postoperative pain and faster early recovery.
- Outpatient or short hospital stays in many cases.
However, it is not right for every patient or every condition. Some problems require more traditional minimally invasive or open procedures to be treated safely and completely.
How Dr. Moore Decides Whether Endoscopic Surgery Is Right for You
During your visit, Dr. Moore will:
- Review your MRI, CT, and X-rays when available.
- Listen to your symptoms and how they affect your daily life.
- Perform a focused physical and neurologic exam.
- Explain which procedures could reasonably help — endoscopic or otherwise.
- Discuss the risks, benefits, and realistic expectations for each option.
The goal is not to fit you into a single technique, but to match you with the safest, most effective approach for your specific condition.
Want to Know If Endoscopic Spine Surgery Is an Option for You?
If you’ve been told you might need spine surgery — or you’re curious whether a less invasive approach could work in your case — a consultation with Dr. Moore can help you get clear, individualized answers.
- Review of imaging and prior treatments when available.
- Explanation of endoscopic, minimally invasive, and traditional options.
- A treatment plan that fits your goals, health, and anatomy.