Northside Hospital Forsyth has completed its first ultra-minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery, marking a significant advancement in spine care for patients in Forsyth County and surrounding communities.
On June 20, Dr. Thomas Belknap, a neurosurgeon with Northside Forsyth and Spectrum Neurosurgical Specialists in Cumming, performed a lumbar spine endoscopic microdiscectomy using advanced Arthrex endoscopic technology. The procedure, done through a tiny incision using a pencil-sized endoscope, allows access to the spine with minimal disruption to surrounding tissue.
“We are extremely excited to offer endoscopic spine surgery at Northside Hospital,” Dr. Belknap said. “Data has shown that endoscopic spine surgery can have equivalent results to traditional open spine surgeries. Incisions are typically about a centimeter in size.”
“While not every patient or pathology can be treated this way, indications will continue to expand in the future,” he added.
Endoscopic spine surgery is typically performed by a neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon and is often done on an outpatient basis, allowing many patients to return home the same day. The technique eliminates the need for large incisions and reduces the amount of bone removed, which shortens hospital stays and speeds up recovery times.
“This is a tremendous advancement for our patients and our community,” said Lisa Overton, director of surgical services at Northside Hospital Forsyth. “Endoscopic spine surgery offers a number of benefits, including smaller incisions, significantly less trauma to surrounding tissue, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays and quicker return to normal activity.”
The new procedure is part of Northside Hospital’s growing commitment to expanding access to minimally invasive spine and joint care. Endoscopic spine surgery is also available at Northside Gwinnett.
Across the health system, Northside’s experts in neurosurgery and orthopedics are incorporating the latest innovations to deliver advanced, patient-centered spine care. From nonsurgical therapies and pain management to minimally invasive techniques and same-day procedures, Northside continues to enhance treatment options for the many adults who experience back pain each year.
Learn more about neurosurgery at Northside.
