Back pain is one of the most common medical complaints, affecting people of all ages and lifestyles. When conservative treatments such as medication or physical therapy aren’t enough, advanced procedures like nucleoplasty offer a minimally invasive solution.
Nucleoplasty, also known as percutaneous disc decompression, is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat lower back pain caused by a herniated or bulging disc. The treatment aims to reduce pressure on the spinal nerves by removing small amounts of disc material. This relieves pressure on the nerve roots, alleviating pain and discomfort.
A herniated disc often causes severe back pain and interferes with one’s quality of life.
Nucleoplasty is typically recommended for individuals with chronic disc-related pain who have not responded well to non-surgical treatments like medication, physiotherapy, or spinal injections. It is an outpatient procedure that requires only a small incision, making it a popular option for patients looking to avoid more invasive surgery.
What Is The Purpose of Nucleoplasty?
The primary purpose of nucleoplasty is to relieve nerve compression in the spine caused by a herniated or bulging disc.
When a disc protrudes, it can place pressure on nearby nerve roots, leading to symptoms such as pain, numbness, or tingling in the back, legs, or arms (depending on the location of the affected disc).
By reducing the size of the herniated disc, nucleoplasty can help ease this pressure, providing significant relief from pain and improving a patient’s overall quality of life. The procedure is particularly beneficial for patients who have tried other non-invasive treatments without success.
What Are the Types of Nucleoplasty?
Nucleoplasty can be performed using different techniques, depending on the specific needs of the patient and the type of spinal disc damage. Some of the common types include:
Radiofrequency Nucleoplasty: This method uses radiofrequency energy to heat and remove a small portion of the disc material. The heat also helps shrink the disc tissue and create space, reducing nerve pressure.
Coblation Nucleoplasty: Coblation uses a low-temperature plasma field to dissolve disc material while preserving the surrounding healthy tissues. This method provides a targeted approach, reducing inflammation and pain.
Mechanical Nucleoplasty: In this technique, a small probe is inserted into the disc, where it removes discto material through mechanical means. It helps create space within the disc, reducing pressure on the nerves.
Each type of nucleoplasty is tailored to the specific disc and nerve damage involved, and your doctor will recommend the best option for your situation.
What Are the Benefits or Risks of Nucleoplasty?
Benefits
Minimally invasive: Unlike open surgery, nucleoplasty involves a small incision, reducing recovery time and minimising scarring.
Quick recovery: Most patients can return to light activities within a few days and resume normal routines within a couple of weeks.
Effective pain relief: Nucleoplasty has a high success rate in reducing disc-related nerve pain, offering long-term relief.
Outpatient procedure: The treatment can be completed in a few hours, allowing patients to return home the same day.
Risks
Although nucleoplasty is a relatively safe procedure, there are some risks, including:
Infection: As with any procedure that breaks the skin, there is a small risk of infection at the incision site.
Bleeding: Minimal bleeding can occur, but it is generally rare in nucleoplasty procedures.
Nerve damage: There is a slight risk of nerve injury during the procedure, although this is uncommon when performed by an experienced specialist.
Disc re-herniation: In some cases, the treated disc may re-herniate over time, potentially requiring further treatment.
How Does Nucleoplasty Work? What Do I Need to Prepare?
Nucleoplasty works by creating space within the herniated disc, reducing the pressure exerted on the nearby spinal nerves.
During the procedure, a thin needle is inserted through a small incision in the skin and into the affected disc. Depending on the type of nucleoplasty, radiofrequency energy, plasma, or mechanical tools are used to remove part of the disc material, which helps alleviate nerve compression.
Preparation:
Medical evaluation: Before the procedure, your doctor will perform a thorough assessment, including imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan, to confirm that nucleoplasty is the best option for your condition.
Medications: You may be asked to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, before the procedure to reduce the risk of bleeding.
Fasting: In some cases, you may be advised to fast for several hours before the treatment. Your doctor will provide specific instructions.
What Should I Expect During and After Nucleoplasty?
During the procedure:
The treatment is typically performed under local anaesthesia, meaning you’ll be awake but won’t feel pain in the affected area.
Your doctor will use imaging guidance, to precisely position the needle in the herniated disc.
The entire procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the case.
After the procedure:
You will be monitored for a short period before being allowed to go home the same day.
Some mild soreness or discomfort at the incision site is normal but typically subsides within a few days.
You may be advised to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities for a couple of weeks, but light activities can usually be resumed quickly.
With a quick recovery time and long-lasting pain relief, nucleoplasty is an attractive option for individuals seeking to avoid traditional open surgery. If you are struggling with chronic back pain and think nucleoplasty might be right for you, schedule a consultation [link to Contact Us] with Dr Charles Siow today to explore your treatment options and take the first step towards a pain-free life.
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