Laser Discectomy

Laser discectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that is an option for patients suffering from pain caused by a herniated or bulging disc. This technique offers effective treatment for patients whose condition could not be alleviated following completion of noninvasive conservative therapies and for patients considering surgical intervention for their chronic pain. It is a safe and cost-effective treatment which can be administered in an outpatient setting, and results in shorter recovery time, no scarring, and speedy return to daily routine. Patients are able to return home just a few hours after the procedure and many report immediate improvement of symptoms, thus allowing them to resume participation in activities of daily living and return to work. Laser discectomy alleviates localized and radiating pain by reducing the pressure on the affected nerve caused by a herniated or bulging disc without impacting the stability of the spine. This procedure can be administered to one or more discs and can effectively reduce pain anywhere along the spine.

What Is a Discectomy?

Our minimally invasive discectomy procedure offers relief from chronic pain caused by a herniated disc or bulging disc. Your spine is comprised of individual bones, called vertebrae, that rest one on top of the other to make up the structure of your spine. In between each vertebra is a cushion, called a disc. The discs allow the vertebrae to move and bend without touching the nerves along the spinal cord. When one of the discs begins to deteriorate, it moves out of its normal parameters and often compresses a nerve along the spine. Thus, most people experience localized and radiating pain accompanied with a herniated or bulging disc.

Common Symptoms Relieved by Laser Discectomy Procedure

While the most common spine condition treated by our discectomy procedure is a herniated or bulging disc, there can also be several other conditions relieved by this minimally invasive procedure, including:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Pinched nerve
• Sciatica

Symptoms of these spine conditions can vary, based on the individual and the severity of the condition. The most common symptoms that people experience include:

• Arm or leg pain - In addition to the localized pain that you may feel at the site of the compressed nerve in your back, you may also experience radiating or shooting pain in your extremities. If your spine condition is in your cervical spine (neck), you may experience pain in your arm and shoulder. If the compressed nerve is in your lower back, you might experience radiating pain down your buttock and leg. The pain may worsen with sudden movements, such as sneezing or coughing.

• Numbness or tingling - Often accompanied by the pain in your arm or leg, you may experience a tingling or numbness that extends to your farthest extremities, such as your hand or foot. Some people may only experience numbness or tingling without the radiating pain.

• Weakness - If the compressed nerve is unable to send strong signals to your surrounding muscles, you may experience weakness in the arm and hand or leg and foot.