Nucleoplasty (Percutaneous Disc Decompression)

           Nucleoplasty (Percutaneous Disc Decompression) is a minimally invasive procedure to treat a herniated disc that can irritate nerve roots in the spine. The vertebrae that make up the human spine are separated by elastic natural “shock absorbers” called intervertebral discs. The discs are made of a soft, viscous, gel-like fluid (nucleus pulposus) held in a thick band (annulus fibrosus). This ensures full motion, stability and efficient shock absorbing of the vertebrae.

           Under normal conditions, the soft viscous gel-like fluid is retained within the fibrous band of the disc. Various factors (such as heavy lifting) can cause tears or deformities in the fibrous band. This can put pressure on the nerves close to the disc. In such a case, nucleoplasty can be applied as a treatment. Nucleoplasty literally means removing part of the nucleus and is a minimally invasive procedure.

           The procedure takes about 30 minutes in the operating room. After the patient is placed on the fluoroscopy table, light sedation and local anesthesia is applied to remain awake. X-rays are used to accurately place the needle inside the problematic disc and contrast material is injected to confirm the location. After the location of the needle is confirmed, the cable of the cable ablation device is inserted into the disc through the needle to generate radio frequency energy that vaporizes and removes excess tissue. This device will generate heat and shrink soft tissue resulting in reduced swelling of disc material. This will reduce the pressure on the nerve roots as well as inside the disc by shrinking the nucleus pulposus. Thus, the hernia pain caused by this reason will also be treated. This procedure is performed as a daily surgery with a short recovery time.

        Nucleoplasty is an outpatient non-invasive surgical procedure. The patient can go home the same day and return to work or daily activities the next day. The incidence of complications is very low. The patient does not need to rest for a long time in bed.