How to Treat a Herniated Disc
Spinal discs act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae in your back and resemble a jelly donut. When a disc becomes damaged from an injury or degenerates naturally from aging, the "jelly" can bulge or herniate outward, pressing on your spinal nerves which causes back pain, arm or leg numbness, or arm or leg pain.
At San Jose Neurospine, our Board Certified, Northwestern-UCLA trained Neurosurgeon treats herniated discs using the minimally invasive microdiscectomy procedure — a procedure that is completed through only a half-inch incision. The goal of the procedure is to remove the portion of the disc that is out of place and pushing on the nerve (the disc is shaved/trimmed). Our discectomy patients are discharged home the same day of surgery, with the majority of patients returning to light work in 1-2 weeks.
Minimally Invasive Disc Surgery
A better option for the surgical treatment of damaged discs.
We understand the significant negative impact back pain could have on quality of life. At San Jose Neurospine, our goal is to get our patients back to enjoying life using minimally invasive techniques that involve the use of tiny incisions and muscle sparing methods to treat the spinal problem. There is a big difference between operating through a ½ inch incision and operating through a 5 inch incision. The major differences include:
Open Spine Surgery
- 4-5 inch incision
- Muscles are cut and damaged
- 5-7 day hospital stay
- >6 month recovery in most cases
- Severe post-op pain
- Increased blood loss
- As high as 10-15% infection rate
- Large scar
| Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery | Open Spine Surgery |
|---|---|
| ½ inch incision | 4-5 inch incision |
| No muscles cut | Muscles are cut and damaged |
| Same day discharge (majority of cases) | 5-7 day hospital stay |
| Quick recovery (4-6 weeks most cases) | >6 month recovery in most cases |
| Minimal post-op pain | Severe post-op pain |
| Minimal blood loss | Increased blood loss |
| <1 % infection rate | As high as 10-15% infection rate |
| Minimal scarring | Large scar |
How to Know if You're a Candidate?
If any of the following statements sound like you, please contact San Jose Neurospine to obtain a No-cost MRI review.
You avoid walking or prolonged sitting because it worsens your back, neck, arm or leg pain
Minimally invasive spine surgery could solve this problem. A ½ inch incision could equal a lifetime of pain relief.
You find yourself hunching over to get back pain relief
This could be a sign of spinal stenosis (narrowing of the tunnels where the nerves travel). Minimally invasive spine surgery could get you back to walking normal again. Several of our patients wish they hadn’t waited to get the procedure.
You’ve been diagnosed with spinal stenosis, bulging/herniated disc or other spinal conditions
Our Board Certified, Northwestern and UCLA trained Neurosurgeon has performed over 3,500 successful minimally invasive spine surgery cases treating these conditions. Minimally invasive surgery is our area of expertise and this is ALL we do.
Your doctor has informed you that you need spine surgery
If you’re considering spine surgery, you owe it to yourself to explore minimally invasive options. A significant number of the patients we have successfully treated using minimally invasive surgery were initially advised by other centers that open spine surgery was the only option. Seek a second opinion from San Jose Neurospine.
You’ve tried conservative treatments like massage therapy, chiropractic treatments and physical therapy without pain relief
Minimally invasive surgery addresses the underlying structural source of the problem and could provide permanent pain relief. Call today to find out if you’re a candidate.
Real Patients. Real Success.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery for herniated or degenerative discs can have a life changing impact.
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Why choose San Jose Neurospine?
1/2 inch incision
Board Certified Neurosurgeon
More than 3,500 successful cases
Same day discharge
Northwestern/UCLA Trained
Minimal post-op pain
Quick Recovery
Over 90 percent success rate
Advanced Technology
We love questions. Our friendly Patient Care Coordinators are standing by and ready to help. Call us at (408) 377-3331 or complete the form above, and we'll be in touch shortly.