A Patient’s Guide to Percutaneous Discectomy

A percutaneous discectomy is one of the most minimally-invasive approaches to treating herniated discs, which is one of the reasons so many patients opt for this approach. This patient guide explains, in detail, what a percutaneous discectomy is and how to determine if it is the right option for you.

What Is a Percutaneous Discectomy?

Herniated discs can cause extreme discomfort, causing pain in the neck, arms, legs, and back. A percutaneous discectomy is a procedure that helps to address the pain resulting from this issue by removing part of the herniated disc that is causing nerve irritation.

The procedure uses a small needle to reach the disc in question, eliminating any need for a surgical incision. A live X-ray guides the needle to the disc, and a probe with a rotating tip is inserted carefully through the needle. This removes portions of the disc and creates a space, which allows it to absorb the herniation and take pressure off the nerve. The spine remains stable because the procedure only removes enough of the disc to mitigate nerve pressure from the impacted area.

Benefits of a Percutaneous Discectomy

Many patients have found that a percutaneous discectomy was the last line of defense in helping to bring them relief when nothing else worked. Combined with our comprehensive treatment protocols that include supportive therapies, our spinal specialists have perfected the use of this procedure for our patients.

Another benefit of this procedure is that it has been shown to increase function in up to 90% of patients who have opted for it. It has fewer complications than other procedure types, which is part of why it is a recommended treatment protocol for a herniated disc. There is no reason to live with pain and discomfort when a proven treatment exists that can help to give you back your quality of life.

Is a Percutaneous Discectomy Right for Me?

Determining if a percutaneous discectomy is the right move for you depends on the types of treatments you have tried so far and what you hope to accomplish moving forward. At Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery, we emphasize working together to determine methods of treatment that will get you the best possible outcome. We will discuss all of your options, including this one, and then decide on the course of treatment with which you feel most comfortable.

The procedure is typically done on patients who have not had success with other traditional treatments, including physical therapy and the use of nerve blocks. Patients with this issue are often not candidates for more stringent surgical intervention because of the size of the bulge. It is an outpatient procedure and is relatively quick. Recovery is speedy, and scarring is minimal because no muscles or bones are cut during the procedure. Most people can resume normal functioning within five days of having the procedure done, and the pain associated with it is also minimal.

Schedule a Consult on Percutaneous Discectomies With the Back and Spine Specialists at Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery

The back and spine specialists at Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery can help you decide if a percutaneous discectomy is a right move for you. Our patients rely on us to give them sound treatment advice because they trust our knowledge, experience, and commitment to their well-being. Every treatment plan we offer is customized to suit your needs, which means that any procedure we recommend is paired with a long-term plan to get you on the road to optimal health.

Learn more by calling us at (866) 646-5090 today, or contact us online to schedule an appointment at OLSS.

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