How Do You Cure A Herniated Disc

A herniated disc can cause a wide range of symptoms, including not only back pain but leg pain, muscle weakness, sciatica, and tingling or numbness in the extremities. For these reasons, it can be physically debilitating and have a heavy impact on lifestyle. Fortunately, even the worst cases tend to be highly treatable, now more than ever thanks to the advent of cutting-edge, minimally-invasive laser surgery procedures.

It is a relief to get a diagnosis, but after being diagnosed with a herniated disc, it is common to feel overwhelmed by the number of treatment options available. While a doctor can help guide you in the right direction, it's important to be informed of the full range of possible treatments.

Non-Surgical Treatment

Although some extreme cases require immediate surgical intervention, the first line of defense in the case of any chronic health problem is to try the least invasive treatments first. These approaches include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can reduce pain
• Rest
  
• Physical therapy, which strengthens the back muscles and stabilizes the spine, reducing the load borne by the disc
  
• Injection of cortisol into the spine, which can reduce the amount of compression
• Application of ice and heat

In some cases, these measures are enough to treat the herniated disc. For many patients, however, symptoms persist even after these treatments are used. If conservative treatments have failed, surgery may be indicated.

Surgical Treatment

In the past, surgery to treat a herniated disc was invasive and grueling. Surgical treatment consisted of a laminectomy (removal of a small portion of vertebral bone) followed by a discectomy (mechanical removal of the affected portion of the disc). It was necessary to cut back large swaths of skin, muscle, and bone to reach the spine, resulting in a large scar. A stay at the hospital and a long recovery time - up to several months - were unavoidable.

With the advent of laser technology, it is now possible to cure herniated discs with a much more effective and less invasive procedure. Like most routine back surgeries, disc surgery can now be performed with the assistance of lasers in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. The spine remains stable during the procedure, the healing time is greatly reduced, and there is minimal scarring. There may also be a reduced risk of some complications, such as bleeding and infection.

Because a herniated disc causes pain by pressing on the spinal cord, the primary goal of the surgery is to decompress the affected area by removing the herniation. Depending on the nature of your herniated disc, two procedures may be performed:

• Percutaneous disc nucleoplasty - A thin needle is inserted into the gel-like center of the disc. A radiofrequency probe is used to dissolve the small portions of the nucleus, which causes the herniation to be reabsorbed.
• YESS Selective Endoscopic Discectomy - A small tube is inserted into the disc. A tiny, endoscopic camera is inserted, allowing the surgeon to see the area. Then, using special tools and laser and radiofrequency probes, small portions of the nucleus are dissolved, and the herniation is reabsorbed.
  

Patients often feel relief as the surgery is actually taking place, and their symptoms resolved by the time the procedure is over. Following the surgery, a bandage is applied and the patient returns home the same day. Thanks to the fact that only small incisions are made, recovery is quick and scarring is minimal. For some patients, physical therapy may be needed to heal fully.

Herniated disc symptoms often appear suddenly, even if there has been no specific injury. With modern procedures, symptoms can be resolved almost as quickly as they appeared, allowing you to return to everyday life with renewed vigor.

To talk about starting treatment for your herniated disc or other back problems, please call the Laser Spine & Pain Institute at 212-430-0312.