If a herniated or bulging disc is causing debilitating back pain, numbness, or sciatica that radiates down your leg, you don’t have to choose between living with chronic discomfort or undergoing major spinal surgery. Percutaneous discectomy offers a minimally invasive solution that can provide significant pain relief, often allowing you to return home the same day.
Our pain management experts in Somerset, Monroe, Ewing, Englewood Cliffs, Jersey City, Hoboken, Bloomfield, Freehold, Clark, and Elizabeth, New Jersey; and Bayridge, Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Hempstead, New York, are committed to helping patients find relief and regain control of their everyday lives.
During a percutaneous discectomy, also called percutaneous disc decompression, a pain management expert removes part of a herniated disc that is irritating a nerve, which results in prompt pain relief. It can be done at the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical regions of the spine.
Stryker’s Dekompressor System removes disc material during a percutaneous discectomy. Doctors may also use the removed material for disc biopsies.
Clinical studies have shown that percutaneous discectomies using this technology were successful in improving pain scores and functional status in patients. This minimally invasive procedure reduces pressure on the nerve root by removing the disc nucleus.
The procedure typically takes 30-60 minutes to complete. Most patients can go home the same day after a brief recovery period.
You may be a candidate if you have a herniated or bulging disc causing persistent pain, numbness, or sciatica that hasn’t responded to conservative treatments like physical therapy, medications, or injections. Your doctor will evaluate your specific condition through imaging studies and clinical examination.
Recovery is significantly faster than open spinal surgery. Most patients can return to light activities within a few days and resume normal activities within 2-4 weeks, compared to 6-12 weeks for traditional discectomy.
While the treated portion of the disc is permanently removed, it’s possible for other areas of the same disc or other discs to develop problems in the future. Following post-procedure guidelines and maintaining spine health can help prevent recurrence.
You’ll arrive at our outpatient facility, receive light sedation and local anesthesia, and the procedure will be performed using imaging guidance. After a brief recovery period, you’ll be able to go home with specific post-procedure instructions.
Many patients experience immediate improvement, while others may notice gradual improvement over the first few weeks as inflammation subsides and healing occurs.
Contact the University Pain and Spine Center office nearest you by phone or with the online booking system for your percutaneous discectomy appointment today.
