Treatment for Herniated & Bulging Disc

Today, HydroDiscectomy offers a new minimally invasive alternative to open surgery.

When compared to open surgery, the advantages are significant:

Incision/Sutures General anesthesia In-patient or Out-patient Some muscle trauma 6-8 week recovery 60 minutes Surgery Bone removal (in 80% of surgeries)

Small incision/Band aid Local anesthesia Out-patient No muscle trauma About 1 week recovery (consult with your physician) 15-20 minutes Minimally invasive procedure No bone removal

---

If you have been diagnosed with a herniated disc in the lumbar region of your spine (L1 through L5) that is causing nerve root compression

If your disc is bulging but the material inside the disc (nucleus) has not ruptured into the spinal canal

If your pain has not improved after four or more weeks of nonsurgical treatment (physical therapy, pain medication, and/or epidural steroid injections)you may qualify for our minimally invasive outpatient procedure.

If you have signs of nerve damage in your leg (severe weakness, loss of coordination, or loss of feeling)

If your symptoms are getting worse

If you do not have other spine conditions such as narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis) or spinal instability that may be the primary source of your pain.

Once your primary care physician refers you to a specialist for more specialized care, the current course of treatment includes a series of nonsurgical strategies designed to reduce or eliminate the pain associated with disc herniation. These include:

• Rest
• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Steroids (such as prednisone)
• Narcotics

Go here to view a Patient Education Video treating herniated bulging disc

If the first line of treatment fails, epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are typically given in a series of three injections separated by at least one week per injection. ESIs are sometimes administered over a longer period of time.

If ESIs fail, a referral to a surgeon for a surgical microdiscectomy or other surgical options is the currently accepted protocol among most spine physicians. A microdiscectomy commonly consists of removing a portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or removing disc material under the nerve root. This provides relief of nerve compression and provides more room for the nerve to heal.

Though this type of spine surgery is often successful in the short-term, it requires general anesthesia and has many known risks that include recurrent herniation, epidural fibrosis, nerve injury, and infection.

SpineJet Minimally Invasive Procedure

Will a minimally invasive procedure be your best option?

See how our spinal physicians treat herniated & bulging disc with the HydroDiscectomy SpineJet and its advantages of water. Or simply find a physician in your area who is trained on the procedure. Are you a candidate?

You may elect to contact us to be placed with a physician near you. Call our office toll free at 1-888-747-7470. View video testimonials from patients who experienced this minimally invasive procedure clinically proven to treat herniated & bulging disc pain.

---