When fibrous cushions surrounding spinal vertebrae bulge outward from between vertebrae and press against spinal nerves, the resulting radiating pain and back stiffness may be diagnosed as a herniated disc. Wear and tear on the spine due to aging, disease or trauma also contributes to the development of a herniated disc that can make it difficult for you raise your arms, walk without pain or even use your hands properly.

If the herniated disc is located in your lower (lumbar) part of your back and you bend over or twist to one side, the pain level immediately increases and may radiate into your hips and legs.

Herniated discs may worsen to the point of needing surgery to relieve compressed nerves. To relieve the pain, stiffness and discomfort of damaged discs, a minimally invasive procedure called an endoscopic lumbar discectomy can be performed on an outpatient basis without general anesthesia or lengthy recovery time.

What Is an Endoscope?

Your endoscopic lumbar discectomy doctor in NYC uses an endoscope to return bulging discs to their former shape and relieve pressure on nearby spinal nerve roots. Endoscopes are long, hollow tubes through which your doctor sees a close-up view of the damaged areas and controls tiny instruments to repair herniated discs.

Once the protruding discs are located, your doctor inserts a needle into the disc’s center to decrease its volume. A surgical instrument attached to the needle removes small amounts of disc tissue without the need to make large incisions. In fact, the diameter of an endoscope is about the diameter of a pencil.

Once your endoscopic lumbar discectomy treatment in NYC is completed, your doctor removes the endoscope and places a bandage over the incision.

Advantages of an Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy

In addition to enjoying a short recovery time, people opting for endoscopic lumbar discectomy for repair of a herniated disc also benefit from:

• Expedited healing time
• Experiencing immediate relief from the pain of a herniated disc
• Minimal risk of complications associated with more invasive methods

Endoscopic discectomies also have exceptional success rates and cause less post-operative pain than other types of spine surgeries or discectomies. Your endoscopic lumbar discectomy doctor in Jersey City will be happy to discuss each step of this procedure and answer any questions you have about an endoscopic discectomy.

Who Are Good Candidates for Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy Treatment?

If you have tried traditional treatments for disc problems and continue to suffer from protruding, degenerated or herniated discs that cause debilitating back and leg pain, you may qualify for an endoscopic discectomy.

Other conditions responding favorably to this procedure include:

• Foraminal and spinal stenosis
• Sciatica
• Bone spurs
• Spondylolisthesis
• Vertebral arthritis
• Radicular pain

Although medications may help mask the pain of a herniated disc, long-term compression of nerve roots in the spine can produce permanent loss of strength, sensation and flexibility in your back and legs. Herniated discs are not known to spontaneously repair themselves, so waiting to get proper treatment can worsen the prognosis of your bulging or herniated disc.