The History and Future Value of Endoscopic Intradiscal Therapy and Foraminoplasty

Abstract

The utilization of spinal endoscopic surgery techniques is on the rise in routine clinical practice and treating painful annular tears, herniated disc, and spinal stenosis. Over the past ten years, we have witnessed an increasing number of surgeons recognizing spinal endoscopy's value. Many of them had difficulty finding access to adequate training while facing reimbursement and acceptance problems. In this chapter, the authors describe the implementation issues at play that they perceive as relevant in the discussion between the healthcare equation's stakeholders. Included in this chapter on the forward-looking perspective of spinal endoscopy is the first author's involvement in the role and value of laser and electrothermal therapy, which is still pertinent but has evolved with advancements in technology and endoscopes and instrumentation.