Endoscopic Discectomy

Spinal disc damage due to trauma or degenerative disease is a common source of chronic back and neck pain. When a spinal disc is damaged, it can protrude, leak or bulge, causing pressure and inflammation, creating chronic pain. Repairing the damaged spinal disc can be completed with endoscopic discectomy. It is a minimally-invasive procedure that is available through Medici Orthopaedics & Spine at our Marietta surgical center.

Endoscopic discectomy is performed using a tiny incision at the location of the damaged spinal disc. Unlike conventional or open spine surgery, muscles and bone do not need to be cut or removed to repair the spinal disc. A small surgical port is created, and a tube is inserted to reach the targeted disc using x-ray guidance. Through this surgical tube, a tiny digital camera and surgical tools can be used to complete the discectomy or disc repair. The procedure usually takes less than an hour, and the patient can walk out of our surgical center a few hours later with only a small bandage covering their surgical incision.

Conditions Treated with Discectomy

The most common spinal discs to need repair are in the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions. Bulging, torn or herniated discs can be repaired using specialized tools that can pass through the small surgical tubing. Our surgeons use x-ray fluoroscopy and the direct view of the endoscopic camera to perform the surgery, removing damaged disc material using laser techniques. Once completed, the incision can be closed with just a few stitches.

Endoscopic discectomy can repair damaged discs that have been the source of chronic pain without the risks of traditional surgery. There is a minimal amount of blood loss and scar tissue formed during this outpatient surgery, with a much quicker recovery.

If you have chronic back or neck pain that is caused by herniated, bulging or damaged spinal discs, come see us at Medici Orthopaedics & Spine. We will create a treatment plan to give you relief. If conservative treatment options are not effective, we offer minimally-invasive endoscopic discectomy at our state-of-art surgical center in Marietta.