EXPERTISE
Percutaneous Discectomy
Percutaneous Discectomy
Percutaneous discectomy is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove a portion of a herniated disc that is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord. This technique involves inserting a needle through the skin and into the disc under imaging guidance, such as fluoroscopy. A pain management physician typically performs this procedure by first administering local anesthesia to the area and then using specialized tools, often through the needle, to extract the herniated disc material. The goal is to relieve pressure on the nerves and reduce pain, numbness, and other symptoms associated with disc herniation.
This procedure is commonly indicated for patients with specific diagnoses, including herniated discs, bulging discs, and contained disc herniations that cause radicular pain, often referred to as sciatica when affecting the lower back and legs. Patients who have not responded well to conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or epidural steroid injections may benefit from percutaneous discectomy. It is particularly useful for those experiencing significant nerve compression symptoms without extensive disc degeneration or spinal instability, providing pain relief and improving function with a less invasive approach compared to traditional open surgery.
