Lower back pain can occur for a number of reasons including a lumbar herniated disc. This back condition occurs most commonly in young and middle-aged adults. This condition can cause significant back and leg pain for some patients. The physicians at OPTIMAL Pain & Regenerative Medicine® offer percutaneous discectomy for these particular patients living in the Arlington, Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas area.
What Causes a Lumbar Herniated Disc?
A lumbar herniated disc is not very common and is associated with lower back pain, leg pain, numbness or tingling in the leg, muscle weakness in the leg and loss of leg reflexes.
A lumbar herniated disc occurs when the intervertebral disc’s, shock absorbers for the spine, outer fibers are damaged and the soft inner material of the nucleus pulposus ruptures out of its normal space. Discs can rupture suddenly by too much pressure all at once such as a fall or automobile accident. Discs can also rupture from a small amount of force if the outer fibers of the disc are injured from repetitive trauma.
A percutaneous discectomy may be performed for an individual suffering from a lumbar herniated disc if the symptoms interfere with daily life or pain and nerve damage has not improved with other nonsurgical treatments.
What Percutaneous Discectomy?
Percutaneous discectomy is an effective, minimally invasive procedure designed for lower back pain associated with a lumbar herniated disc. Pain is alleviated with this procedure due to decompression of the spinal discs and facet joints.
Percutaneous discectomy is performed under live X-ray guidance by a single probe. The probe is placed through a needle inserted in the affected disc. The goal is to remove a small amount of nuclear disc jelly from the herniated disc. The removal decreases the pressure inside the disc and leads to relieved pressure transmitted to the nerve.
What are the Benefits and Risks of a Percutaneous Discectomy?
Percutaneous discectomy is considered a low-risk pain management treatment that decreases pain, improves mobility and eliminates the need for traditional back surgery procedures. The procedure is also linked to less scarring in patients.
The most common complaint individuals express is mild back pain at the injection site following the procedure. Some patients may experience spinal cord compression, bleeding or infection.
If you suffer from a lumbar herniated disc and want more information on percutaneous discectomy, contact OPTIMAL Pain & Regenerative Medicine® located in the Arlington, Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas area.