The Newest Surgery Options For a Slipped Disc

A slipped disc, also known as a herniated disc, is one of the most common spine problems in America. It's ideal to treat slipped discs without surgery whenever possible, since even minimally invasive surgery does come with some risks and costs. However, when surgery is necessary, patients have more options than ever. 

About Slipped Discs

A slipped disc is a disc that protrudes or is displaced. When this occurs, the disc can potentially press against the nerve roots or the spinal cord. This in turn may produce symptoms like pain, muscle weakness, and numbness, either in the back or in the limbs. 

Because the discs receive a limited blood supply, they do not have the capacity to heal on their own. Non-surgical treatments focus on relieving inflammation and reducing the amount of weight placed on the disc, while surgery may or may not address the disc itself.

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy is a surgery that uses your own adult stem cells to produce a powerful reduction in inflammation. Your stem cells are harvested from your fat or bone marrow, then injected into the spine where the slipped disc lies. The powerful reduction in inflammation may permanently relieve your symptoms.

Nerve Stimulation

During nerve stimulation, leads are implanted into the spine, along with a device. The device sends electrical impulses through the leads; the impulse then travels along the nerves. Pain impulses also travels along the nerves to the brain. The goal of nerve stimulation is to interrupt the transmission of pain from the affected nerves. Nerve stimulation is a particularly strong choice for people who have had a botched spine surgery in the past.

Laser Spine Surgery

Laser spine surgery is a minimally invasive surgery that uses a laser probe to dissolve the herniated portion of the disc. It requires just a couple of small incisions along the spine, through which the probe and a camera are inserted. The procedure is performed in an outpatient setting, and many patients feel relief from their symptoms as the surgery is being performed.

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