Herniated or Bulging Cervical and Lumbar Discs
Description of a Herniated or Bulging Disc
A herniated disc is a condition in which part, or all, of the soft, gelatinous central portion of an intervertebral disc (the nucleus pulposus) is forced through a weakened part of the disc. This results in back pain and leg pain (lumbar herniation) or neck pain and arm pain (cervical herniation) due to nerve root irritation.
Symptoms of Herniated Lumbar discs
- Severe low back pain
- Pain radiating to the buttocks, legs, and feet
- Pain made worse with coughing, straining, or laughing
- Tingling or numbness in legs or feet
- Muscle weakness or atrophy in later stages
- Muscle spasm
Symptoms of Herniated Cervical Discs
- Neck pain, especially in the back and sides
- Deep pain near or over the shoulder blades on the affected side
- Pain radiating to the shoulder, upper arm, forearm, and rarely the hand, fingers or chest
- Pain made worse with coughing, straining, or laughing
- Increased pain when bending the neck or turning head to the side
- Spasm of the neck muscles
- Arm muscle weakness
Treatment
Arthroscopic Laser Discectomy
The procedure is designed as an answer to stenosis, herniated discs, disc disease and spinal instability from previously failed open surgeries.
In this procedure the portion of the disc that is causing nerve compression can effectively be removed through a small incision. With the patient awake, a needle is placed into the area of the disc that is producing symptoms. A small incision is made on the patient’s back and the endoscopic tube is inserted.
Using specially adapted endoscopic instruments the diseased disc material is removed and then a laser vaporizes the surrounding problem tissue. A laser is then used to shrink and remodel the remaining disc. A small loose dressing is used to cover the incision.
Often patients feel immediate relief following this procedure. Rehabilitation begins within hours of surgery, and involves gait training, back or neck support, and walking. Post-operative pain management program avoids narcotics in favor of a Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulator that blocks pain messages to the brain.