How To Prevent Scar Tissue

Scar tissue after back surgery is a problem that researchers have been trying to find a way to prevent. This study that I read is the first know study to include humans. Low-dose radiation is being used as a treatment for scar tissue build up. After 24 hours the radiation process takes place followed by a second operation to remove the scar tissue.
Quite often a second operation will not be advised as some doctors fear that more scar tissue will form making the problem worse. Radiation injures the cells that go to work after a specific trauma like surgery. The fibroblasts, which are the cells being targeted by the radiation, normally rush to the area affected by the trauma with the intent to repair it. The problem that causes the fibrosis (dense scar tissue) is that too many cells come to help.
If the fibrosis wraps itself around the spinal nerve and nearby tissues the nerves will no longer be able to move freely in its outer covering. The condition that is created by this is called tethering. Animal studies have shown that low-dose radiation treatments can help to prevent fibrosis. The results of this study show some promise for its use with humans, as well.
In a human study a group of five patients were treated with low-dose radiation while five others were given a placebo that looked like radiation treatment. In the first group that received the low-dose radiation three of the patients were reportedly pain free and the other two reported a decrease in pain after the treatment. Three of the patients in the control group reported that they felt better while two had no change. No one in the control group was pain free.
When a product being used in the study was taken off the market the study was terminated. Because the researchers couldn’t treat everyone the same they had to stop with only the 10 subjects. At a later date this study may be redesigned and redone.

Many people that have had previous open spinal surgeries can develop large amounts of scar tissue. This scar tissue can cause the same symptoms that a patient has had prior to surgery. With minimally invasive surgery scar tissue is able to be removed through small tubes requiring very small incisions. Since the procedure is minimally invasive, the patient will not see the amount of scar tissue formation compared to the conventional open spinal surgeries.
Treatment experience shows that traditional open surgeries have little success with removing scar tissue, but with laser-assisted techniques, scar tissue can be easily and safely removed.
Arthroscopy has been used on the knee and shoulders since the early 1970's. Minimally invasive laser spine surgery applies the same principles to the back and neck. The steps in this procedure are easy on the patient and allow the surgeon to accomplish more without the damage caused by traditional open back surgery. A local anesthetic is administered to the area of the patient's back where the work is being done. An intravenous catheter is placed so that light sedation, medication and fluids can be administered.
This laser spine procedure requires only one three-millimeter incision at the surface. Smaller incisions eliminate additional trauma associated with cuts through muscle and other tissue. A small hollow tube, about the circumference of a drinking straw, is then inserted into the incision. A series translucent tubes are placed one at a time over the first tube to slowly dilate the skin and muscle without having to tear or cut it.