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Percutaneous Discectomy - A Brief Overview

by Dr Brian Klagges
Dr. Brian Klagges, a skilled physician and anesthesiologist with over 15 years of experience, currently directs the Interventional Spine Center at Elliot Hospital in Manchester, New Hampshire. Brian Klagges, MD, performs a variety of specialized procedures, including percutaneous discectomy.
Also known as nucleoplasty, percutaneous discectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure for patients with contained disc herniations that fail to respond to more conservative treatments. It is typically performed to relieve pain and improve overall mobility, which is often limited in individuals with herniated discs.
During the procedure, the surgeon makes a very small incision near the affected area and guides an instrument into the problem disc using specialized imaging equipment. Once the tools are positioned properly, the surgeon removes the desired amount of disc tissue in order to relieve pressure on the surrounding nerve.
The entire procedure typically takes less than an hour, and most patients return home the same day after a few hours of in-hospital observation. Although individual results vary, percutaneous discectomy has proven to be effective at relieving herniated disc symptoms in the majority of patients who undergo the procedure.