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• Automated Percutaneous Lumbar Discectomy

Automated Percutaneous Lumbar Discectomy

Automated percutaneous lumbar discectomy is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat symptoms of a bulging disc or small herniated disc in the lower back. A bulging disc occurs when the nucleus of the disc protrudes outward, but doesn’t completely rupture the outer layer (annulus fibrosus) of the disc. Bulging discs can press against neighboring nerves and cause symptoms including pain, numbness, and weakness in the back or limbs, depending on the location of the affected disc. Thus, the aim of any discectomy is to decompress the nerves by removing deviated disc material and disc fragments.

Percutaneous discectomy is different from microdiscectomy or other types of discectomy, because it’s performed through a tiny needle in the skin instead of an incision. In some types of percutaneous discectomy, an automated suction-cutting device inserted through the needle is used to extract the disc material.

This procedure is sometimes an effective alternative to traditional open back surgery, but it can’t be used in cases where the lumbar disc has completely herniated. Since it’s a minimally invasive procedure, it is performed using only local anesthesia and in some cases, mild sedation. Scarring is minimal, and recovery time is substantially shorter than that of open back surgery.

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It’s important to understand that most bulging discs can be treated with conservative therapy such as bed rest, exercise, a heating pad, and medication. Also, there are several lifestyle modifications you can make to reduce your symptoms. These include using good posture, maintaining a healthy weight, and protecting your back while lifting. If you’ve tried conservative treatments but are still experiencing painful and debilitating bulging disc symptoms, your doctor may recommend discectomy. If so, Laser Spine Institute (LSI) offers a type of minimally invasive discectomy that has been successful in treating thousands of patients with bulging and herniated discs. For more information and for a free MRI or CT scan review, contact us today.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.