Percutaneous Arthoroscopic Discectomy
A procedure to relieve certain spinal conditions at Laser Spine Institute
Click Here to see how you can get your life back in 5 days Percutaneous Discectomy is the surgical removal of herniated disc/bulging disc material that presses on a nerve root or the spinal cord.
A Percutaneous Arthroscopic Discectomy is used to treat the following conditions:
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Herniated Disc
- Bulging Disc
- Pinched Nerve (nerve root compression)
- Sciatica
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A percutaneous arthroscopic laser discectomy is done when the patient's history, physical examination and imaging (such as CT scan or MRI) indicates herniated or bulging disc and the material inside the disc has not ruptured into the spinal canal.
There also may be signs of serious nerve damage in the leg, severe weakness, loss of coordination and/or loss of feeling.
Anyone with any significant bony anomalies or foraminal stenosis would not be a candidate for a percutaneous arthroscopic laser discectomy, but would benefit from LSI's Foraminotomy procedure.
FREE - MEDICAL REVIEW AND SECOND OPINION
Fax your MRI REPORT to LSI and a qualified member of our staff will call you to discuss your condition(s) and what treatment may be effective. This review is at no cost to you, with no obligation and is kept completely confidential between you and the LSI staff. A personal consultation and/or written evaluation can only be provided if you are examined by a doctor at Laser Spine Institute, at which time there will be an appointment charge.
When a traditional percutaneous arthroscopic laser discectomy is performed at LSI, the surgeon uses X-ray monitoring and fiber optics resulting in pictures displayed on a monitor similar to a TV screen, therefore allowing the surgeon to see what is compressing the nerve during the procedure and remove it with laser, ensuring a much higher rate of success.
At Laser Spine Institute (LSI) in Tampa, Florida, we perform percutaneous arthroscopic laser discectomies without the need for general anesthesia in an outpatient surgical setting.
After a local anesthetic is administered, a small incision is made and a round Depuy tube is put into the incision This tube allows us to perform percutaneous arthroscopic laser discectomies with minimal damage to the surrounding muscles. The muscles are pushed out of the way and are not torn or cut.
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Through this working tube we insert the laser, camera, suction, irrigation and other surgical instruments. Once everything is in place, the surgeon utilizes a laser to vaporize the disc material, therefore diminishing the pressure on the spinal cord and/or the spinal nerve. Many patients feel immediate relief during the percutaneous arthroscopic laser discectomy as the pressure is minimized. When the procedure is complete, the tube is slowly removed, allowing the muscles to move back into place.
A percutaneous arthroscopic laser discectomy is a relatively short procedure, only taking ½ hour to 45 minutes to perform with a quick recovery ensured afterwards. After 1-2 hours of monitoring, the patient (with a companion) is free to go.
We generally encourage patients to take a long walk the afternoon or evening of their percutaneous arthroscopic laser discectomy procedure. The patient then returns the following day for a post-operative visit to get clearance from the doctor to return home.
Advantages for having LSI's Percutaneous Arthroscopic Discectomy:
- Outpatient procedure - no hospitalization
- No general anesthesia
- No arthrodesis (fusion)
- Minimally invasive
- Very successful
- Short recuperation - quickly return to normal activities
- Minimal scar tissue formation
The Laser Spine Institute offers various minimally invasive procedures to relieve neck and back pain caused by spinal conditions and nerve conditions. Procedures offered include Foraminotomy, Percutaneous, Discectomy, Facet Thermal Ablation, and Fusion Alternatives. After-surgery options include physical therapy sessions to help minimize the recuperation period.
Advantages of having your spinal surgeries done at the Laser Spine Institute include no general anesthesia, no hospitalization, minimally invasive surgery, minimal scar tissue formation, and the availability of outpatient procedures.