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Herniated Disc
Also known as a torn or ruptured disc, herniated disc occurs when the thick outer layer of an intervertebral disc splits. This allows the soft, jelly-like interior layer to escape and in some cases push upon a nearby nerve root or the spinal cord. This pressure can cause pain and other symptoms to manifest, which in severe cases can be debilitating. Surgical Herniated Disc Treatment
For ruptured discs that do not heal on their own and continue to cause significant and debilitating symptoms to the sufferer, surgery may be needed. Not everyone qualifies for this treatment, but those who do can choose between an open back/neck surgery and an endoscopic procedure. The latter of the two provides significant advantages over the former, including:
- Shorter incision - Surgeons make an incision that's just a couple centimeters rather than inches or longer.
- No cutting of muscle - Because the surgeons use tiny tools which can be used to go around or gently nudge aside muscle, they can access the surgery site without having to cut through it.
- Outpatient rather than inpatient - Performed in an outpatient facility, endoscopic procedures don't require any hospital stay.
- Lower risk of infection - Due to their setting, the smaller incision, and the shorter stay, infection rates are significantly lower.
- Faster recovery time - Instead of months, recovery for endoscopic spine patients usually takes just six weeks.
If you're interested in learning more about herniated disc treatments, including surgery, contact Laser Spine Institute. The leader in endoscopic spine treatment, we offer a complimentary CT scan or MRI review to determine your eligibility for one of our procedures and will be happy to discuss all your options with you.