Herniated Disc Surgery Houston, TX

Have you been diagnosed with a herniated disc? There are a few things you should know about your condition, and recent medical advancements. A disc is the cushion between your vertebrae. It consists of a soft center with a tougher exterior. Sometimes this exterior may develop a crack, and then the soft inner substance leaks out. When this happens, it can agitate the surrounding nerves. Not every one who has this condition experiences pain, and not everyone requires surgery. The affected disc may be located in your neck, your lower back (called a lumbar herniated disc), or mid/upper back (called a cervical herniated disc).

Most of the time this condition is treated with non surgical options such as oral steroids, epidural steroids, physical therapy, chiropractic manipulation or osteopathic medicine. However, situations may occur where surgery is necessary. Recent innovations in herniated disc treatments have refined the process, improving recovery dramatically.

In the past extreme cases required the removal of the disk altogether. But with the use of laser surgery, now surgeons can specifically remove the portion of the disc causing the nerve pressure. This option depends on the individual herniated disc diagnosis. In this method of herniated disc treatment, a small incision is made, and a tube is inserted into the incision. This tube is then used as a vehicle for the laser, fiber optic camera and other implements needed to complete the surgery. This minimally invasive laser spine surgery technique does not require a lengthy hospital stay. In addition, local anesthesia is used, avoiding the complications associated with general anesthesia.

If your pain is primarily in your lower back, and/or radiates down into your legs and feet, you may be a candidate for lumbar herniated disc surgery. If you experience shooting pain, numbness, tingling or muscle weakness in your arms you may wish to consider cervical herniated disc surgery.

The first step to regaining your quality of life is getting the facts you need. Contact a laser spine specialist to find out your options today. A consultation is pain free, and you may find more options than you anticipated.