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Endoscopic Microdiscectomy

Endoscopic microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive surgery used to treat symptoms of a herniated disc. During this procedure, surgeons use an endoscope (a magnifying camera that can be inserted directly into the body through a tiny incision) to see and remove herniated disc material in the spinal column. By removing tiny bits of material pressing on spinal nerves, surgeons often are able to relieve nerve irritation and painful symptoms in the patient.

A herniated disc occurs when the outer layer of a disc, the annulus fibrosus, ruptures and expels a portion of the disc’s interior matter, the nucleus pulposus. The displaced disc material can press against neighboring nerve roots and the spinal cord, causing a range of symptoms including neck pain, back pain, and tingling, numbness, and weakness in the extremities. The severity of the symptoms, as well as the location of the body experiencing the symptoms, is determined by the location of the herniated disc and the amount of displaced disc material. The purpose of an endoscopic microdiscectomy, therefore, is to decompress the nerve by removing the displaced portion of the disc.

Discectomy surgeries have been used to treat symptoms of herniated discs for years. But in the past, these procedures involved removing the entire disc through large incisions, which means substantial muscle and tissue damage, long hospital stays, and lengthy recovery times. Endoscopic surgery options such as endoscopic microdiscectomy drastically reduces all of these side effects because it’s performed through a tiny incision about the size of a dime. Using mirco-instruments and an endoscope, the surgeon carefully suctions out disc material and irrigates the area, effectively decompressing the irritated nerve with minimal damage to surrounding tissues and muscles. Compared to a full discectomy and spinal fusion, the endoscopic method shortens recovery time, minimizes scarring, and allows most patients to be up and walking the same day of the endoscopic microdiscectomy.

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If you have a herniated disc or bulging disc, it’s unlikely that you’ll have to resort to back surgery to treat your symptoms. Most cases of herniated discs are treated using conservative therapies, such as hot and cold compresses, bed rest, physical therapy, and over-the-counter medication. Steroid injections and prescription pain medication can also be helpful for those with severe and recurring pain, but both of those options can have significant side effects.

If you’ve been suffering from debilitating and painful symptoms of a herniated disc and have tried conventional treatments, you may be a candidate for an endoscopic microdiscectomy. The experienced surgeons at Laser Spine Institute (LSI) have performed tens of thousands of these procedures with an extremely high success rate. For more information or for a free MRI or CT scan, contact us today.

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