TRANSFORAMINAL ARTHROSCOPIC DECOMPRESSION OF LATERAL RECESS STENOSIS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of arthroscopic decompression of lateral recess stenosis, determine p otential associated complications, and present an alternative method t o access the lateral recess of the lumbar spine. Forty patients were s elected in whom the authors found clinical and computerized tomography evidence of lateral recess stenosis and sequestered foraminal herniat ions. All 40 were treated with a posterolateral arthroscopic technique , and 38 were available for this follow-up evaluation. A satisfactory result was obtained in 31 patients (82%). No neurovascular complicatio ns were encountered; however, other complications included an infectio n of the disc space in one patient and a causalgic-type pain in the in volved extremity in four patients. The associated postoperative morbid ity in this group of patients was minimal and resulted in rapid rehabi litation and return of patients to preoperative functioning level.