(Leavenworth, Kan., Sept. 19, 2017) Described as a “gentle” procedure, a new surgical method offered at the Saint John Surgery Center by Mayank Gupta, M.D., a board certified pain management physician/anesthesiologist, is helping patients with herniated discs and lower back pain reach a new quality of life with little downtime. Dr. Gupta is leading the way with this procedure, being one of the first in the Midwest to offer it to patients.
“Transforaminal Endoscopic discectomy is a new high-precision treatment of the spine with minimal injury to the surrounding tissue structures,” Dr. Gupta said. “This results in minor surgical pain and very little scar tissue. “The patients we are helping have chronic pain due to a herniated disc caused by injury, age and/or arthritis.” Dr. Gupta added. “The procedure is an alternative treatment vs. traditional surgery that involves a larger incision and extended recovery time. With this highly effective treatment we are able to get patients doing the things they love to do in a shorter period of time.”
“We are thrilled to bring this level of technology to the Saint John Surgery Center for the benefit of the patients in Leavenworth County and surrounding areas,” said Paula M. Ellis, DNP, CARN, NEA-BC, CNO/Administrator of Saint John Hospital. Our goal is to relieve pain and improve function, allowing many people to live free from intense, chronic pain.”
Benefits of the new procedure include:
- Small incision, only minor scarring
- Short recovery time and rapid return to everyday life
- Reduced risk of infection
- Visual endoscopic control and viewing during the operation
- Minimal destabilization and trauma to surgical area
For 81 year old Ulis Tucker, the procedure has made a night and day difference with his lower back pain. He said,” I would describe my pain levels prior to this surgery as an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. Within two days my discomfort dropped to as little as a one on that same scale.”
For Tucker, the procedure has significantly alleviated his pain. The former construction worker who now describes himself as country farmer said he had worked hard during his life and he was thankful to be able to get back to tending to his chickens, and taking long drives with little or no pain. In addition, he described Dr. Gupta more “like a friend” than a doctor.
“He doesn’t rush you during an office visit,” Tucker said. “He visits with me and takes an interest in what I have to say.”
For Delma Lewis, being able to walk three miles a day again has been great.
“I had told Dr. Gupta I wanted to avoid major surgery, and he recommended this new procedure,” Lewis said. “Before the procedure I had a lot of pain and had stopped my daily walking.”
“I had trouble sleeping and had a lot of knee and ankle pain which were related to my sciatica nerve pain,” Lewis added. “Now I am going for my walks and have little or no pain.”
To find a pain management physician on statt at Saint John Hospital, visit our Find a Physician page.