Discectomy
The spinal discs offer cushion and support for the vertebrae and spinal column. Injury, disease and degeneration can cause damage to the discs, resulting in bulging or herniated discs. Damaged spinal discs can protrude into the spinal space, putting pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots. When a herniated disc is causing chronic pain or other symptoms that are not relieved by conservative treatments, a discectomy may be recommended.
A discectomy is repair surgery for herniated discs. It can be performed with open surgery or minimally invasive surgery to access the damaged disc. The protruding spinal disc material is removed, along with any pieces that may be compressing the nerves or spinal cord. This is a less invasive procedure than removing the disc completely and fusing the vertebrae or using an artificial disc replacement for damaged discs. At DOCS Health, we offer both thoracic and lumbar discectomy at our medical center in Los Angeles, CA.
Thoracic Discectomy
The thoracic spine is the largest section of the spinal column, extending from the base of the neck to below the ribcage. There are 12 thoracic vertebrae with spinal discs between them that can herniate from injury, disease or degenerative conditions. Thoracic discectomy may be recommended to remove portions of a herniated or bulging disc to relieve pressure on nerves or the spinal cord.
Lumbar Discectomy
The lower or lumbar spine has 5-6 vertebrae and spinal discs that are prone to damage due to the strain on the bottom of the spine. Herniated, bulging or leaking spinal discs in the lumbar spine can cause localized pain, sciatica and radiating symptoms. A lumbar discectomy can usually be performed using laparoscopic or minimally invasive methods to relieve pressure on the nerve roots in the lower spine.
If you have back pain and other symptoms from a damaged or herniated disc in the thoracic or lumbar spine, discectomy may be a solution. To learn more about treatment for herniated disc pain, contact our team at DOCS Health. We offer minimally invasive discectomy for lumbar and thoracic disc pain at our medical center in Beverly Hills, CA.
Doctors who treat this condition
Unless otherwise indicated, the physician is a member of DOCS Health Medical Group and has medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both. Physicians denoted with an asterisk (*) are independent physicians who are not part of DOCS Health Medical Group, but do have medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both.