Minimally Invasive Discectomy

This is an increasingly popular surgical procedure that is helping back pain sufferers get relief from herniated discs. A herniated disc is a painful condition that occurs when the inner part of a spinal disc pops out through the outer rim and into the spinal canal, which can then compress the nerves, causing intense pain; minimally invasive discectomy is also used for patients suffering from spinal stenosis. Many patients may improve without surgery or even without treatment, but, for some, surgery is the only answer.

Conservative treatments

Once a patient is diagnosed with a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, they have several options for treatment. A leading spinal surgeon like Dr. Mark C. Valente, Board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon and founder and Medical Director of the DISC Spine Institute, will not move immediately to surgery. In fact, practices like the DISC Spine Institute are committed to treating back pain conservatively.

Over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory medications like Advil or Motrin and epidural steroid injections are typically among the first conservative treatments for herniated discs and are also among the prescribed conservative treatments for spinal stenosis. While many patients are relieved of their pain at this point, others may end up needing to have surgery.

The surgical procedure

Minimally invasive discectomy is a procedure in which the surgeon makes a small incision—less than one inch—that will allow him or her to access the compressed nerves that are the source of the pain.

“Discectomy is the most common surgery used for a herniated disk in the lumbar region,” said Healthline. This is the region most commonly affected by herniated discs. “In this procedure, the portion of the disk that is causing the pressure on your nerve root is removed.”

You can watch Dr. Valente’s explanation of the procedure—a surgical procedure that takes just 45 minutes to an hour and requires only a local anesthetic with no overnight hospital stay—to learn more about what to expect.

When it’s time to put an end to your pain, visit DISC Spine Institute, experts in minimally invasive treatments, the most effective medical procedures to treat and eliminate chronic back pain today. Minimally invasive surgical techniques mean treating chronic back pain is easier than ever, with outpatient treatments, small incisions, and a quicker recovery time instead of a long hospital stay.