1-

• Contact Laser Spine Institute
• Request MRI Review
• Medical Consulation

You are here

• Home
• »
• Spine Conditions
• »
• Treatments
• »
• Degenerative Disc Treatment
• »
• Degenerative Disc Disease Surgery
• »
• Discectomy

Discectomy

A discectomy is a surgical procedure performed as a last resort for patients who have a damaged or diseased intervertebral disc. Typically, this procedure is not performed until after conservative, non-surgical treatments have proven unsuccessful at relieving the patient’s symptoms.

During a discectomy, a damaged intervertebral disc is removed from the spinal canal. Depending on the procedure, a surgeon may remove a portion of a disc or the entire disc.

A patient might need a disectomy for a variety of reasons – for example, if a herniated disc is causing severe pain and disability and non-surgical treatments like pain medications, physical therapy, or osteopathic manipulative treatment are not providing sustained relief.

The opening between our spine’s vertebrae – where nerves leave the spine and extend to other parts of the body – is limited in size. When an intervertebral disc ruptures in the spine, it releases a gel-like substance called the nucleus pulposus. The nucleus can put pressure on one or more nerve roots, which can cause pain, numbness, weakness, and other symptoms of a ruptured disc.

At Laser Spine Institute, we perform a minimally invasive procedure called a percutaneous endoscopic discectomy, which is the surgical removal of herniated disc or bulging disc material pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord. We perform this highly advanced discectomy through a small incision, resulting in minimal disruption to surrounding tissue and greatly reducing recovery time.

By reviewing your MRI or CT scan, Laser Spine Institute can determine whether or not you are a candidate for this state-of-the-art discectomy approach. We also will review other factors including:

• Your history of chronic pain in your back, neck, and extremities
• Your limitation of daily activities due to pain
• If you have responded to nonsurgical treatments such as pain medications or physical therapy
• If you suffer from a long-term medical issue such as degenerative disc disease or spinal arthritis

Click Here to see how you can get your life back in 5 days

If you feel you’re a candidate for a percutaneous endoscopic discectomy at LSI, we invite you to contact us for a free MRI or CT scan review. Our minimally invasive, outpatient procedures have helped people around the world experience almost instant relief from their back and neck pain – and return to a fully-functioning lifestyle.

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