What is Percutaneous Disc Surgery?
This surgery has several names, Percutaneous Disc, Disc Decompression, Nucleoplasty, Percutaneous Discectomy, and Percutaneous Decompression. Surgery is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat intervertebral discs that are causing pain. A candidate for this minimally invasive procedure usually experiences radicular pain which is pain that radiates from your lower back all the way down to your legs.
Percutaneous Disc surgery is most commonly used to treat herniated discs in the lower back, but can also be done in the neck and mid-back.
How Does Percutaneous Disc Surgery Work?
A local anesthetic will be use, general anesthesia is not required. This procedure uses a tube-like instrument where the surgical devices can be sent through in order to remove tissue from the center of the disc. By removing the tissue in the middle of the disc, it relieves pressure which is decompressing the disc.
Since the pressure is relieved pain will be reduced. The incision is extremely small since the surgical equipment is only small dilating tubes. A small bandaid will be used to cover the incision area. Overall, this is a minimally invasive outpatient surgery that only takes 30 minutes.
Why Choose Percutaneous Disc Surgery?
- Minimally Invasive procedure that only requires a bandaid, no stitches
- 30 minute outpatient procedure, you will not have to stay overnight
- Fewer complications due to not having open surgery
- Recovery time is quicker
- Local anesthetic required only no need for general anesthesia
- Return to work within 7-10 days
- No post surgical narcotics will be needed
Recovery Time for Percutaneous Disc Surgery
This procedure is an outpatient procedure done in our surgery centers located in Central Florida. After your surgery, you will be put into the postoperative recovery area where our team of nurses will monitor you. They will do simple tests such as checking your blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate.
Instructions from your nurse
- The nurse will contact your surgeon to see if physical therapy will be prescribed
- You will be released the same day after your surgery is completed
- A post-operative appointment which is set 4-6 weeks after your surgery will be given to you to see how the healing process is coming along
Restrictions
- Anti-Inflammatory drugs should be avoided due to the ability for them to cause bleeding and interference with the healing process
- Do not lift heavy objects
Avoid sitting down for long periods of time - Avoid Smoking
- Physical activity such as household chores or sports should be avoided.
The recovery time after you have been released from our outpatient surgery center will be around 1 week. This is shorter than the normal spine surgeries which can take up to 3-6 months of recovery time like a Spinal Fusion.
For more information on Percutaneous Disc Surgery please use the contact form to the right to ask useful questions. We have offices located all around central Florida Tampa, Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch. Lakeland, Ocala, Gainesville, Brooksville, and Largo.
