Under local anesthesia and x-ray fluoroscopy, a needle, guidewire and blunt dilator are placed through the ¼ inch skin incision through the muscle of the back, between the vertebrae into the herniated disc space. A 7mm metal tube is placed over the dilator to create access to the disc. An innovative working channel endoscope is coupled with HD video camera to enhance visualization for the physician. Through the endoscope, small specially designed microscopic instruments are the sent down the hollow center of the endoscope to remove a portion of the offending disc. The procedure also treats disc bulge and annular tears effectively. Inside the disc a tear is debrided of any nucleus and then the annulus is treated with a laser or radiofrequency ablation tool that ablates any painful small nerves that have grown into the annular tear. This effectively shrinks and closes the tear without out disrupting the integrity of the disc as a whole. Once the disc tear is sealed, the metal tube is extracted.

The procedure takes about an hour on average. You normally will feel little, if any pain or discomfort. There are no stitches. Upon completion, a small Band-Aid is placed over the incision. Post-operative, patients usually recover for about an hour and then go home.

Recovery depends on how well you and your body responds to the procedure. Typically most patients will feel better immediately after surgery and go back to work within a few days. Be careful to listen and comply with your physician’s post-operative instructions. Although you may feel better it is best to not do any heavy lifting at all until cleared by your physician.