Disc Displacement: Types, Treatments, Recovery Time, Risks, and Benefits of Surgery

Herniated discs can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort. This type of injury often occurs when the outer wall of the disc tears, allowing the jelly-like nucleus pulposus to push backward out of the tear into the spinal canal or neural foramen. In many cases, this hernia can impinge on a nerve, resulting in inflammation and irritation.

Some disc herniation might be: 

• C4-C5 disc herniation
• C5-C6 disc herniation
• C6-C7 disc herniation

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Disc herniation is most often caused by wear and tear on the spine, but can also be the result of sudden impact or trauma from an accident or fall. Treatment for a herniated disc typically includes rest, ice, heat, and over-the-counter pain relievers. In some cases, physical therapy or surgery may be necessary depending on your herniated disc MRI. 

A bulging disc, also called a ruptured or slipped disc, is a problem that can occur when the disc between the vertebrae bones of the spine ruptures or shifts outside of the area it should be in. This condition is most common in the lower back, called the lumbar region.

When a bulging disc first occurs, the person may not experience any symptoms. However, pain, numbness, and tingling may occur in the buttocks and leg with a lumbar bulging disc, a condition called sciatica. A bulged or slipped disc will not move back into place on its own, and as the body ages, the disc tissue will only become more dry and less flexible, exacerbating the symptoms.

Bulging discs are often confused with herniated discs, but there is a difference. A bulging disc occurs when the interior soft tissue escapes the disc causing the disc to deflate and bulge outwards. A herniated disc is the result of a crack in the outer layer of cartilage that allows softer inner cartilage to come through the disk. Both can result in discomfort and should be treated by a medical professional.

A collapsed disc may occur when the discs of the spine suffer a loss of overall disc height due to degeneration or injury. This can cause pain, numbness, tingling, weakness or other unusual sensations. When a disc collapses, it can put pressure on adjacent nerve roots and cause pain. 

Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the condition, but may include pain medication, physical therapy or surgery. In severe cases, a collapsed disc may require a spinal fusion to stabilize the spine and prevent further damage.

A torn disc is a medical condition that can occur in the spine. It is a condition where the outer layer of the disc, called the annulus, tears. This can cause the inner layer of the disc, called the nucleus, to bulge out. A torn disc can cause pain and other symptoms.

The most common cause of a torn disc is injury. This can include a fall, lifting something heavy, or other trauma. degenerative changes in the discs can also lead to a tear. These changes are more common in older adults.

Deuk Laser Disc Repair is a form of endoscopic spine surgery that is minimally invasive and performed under sedation. With over 1,300 patients treated, there has been a 95% success rate with no complications in any patient. 

The surgery is performed through a small opening, less than a quarter inch long, and the entire surgery takes place inside a narrow tube. The endoscopic camera is inserted into the tubular retractor to allow the surgeon to guide the laser inside each symptomatic disc. This process ensures that bones and surrounding tissues are not damaged.

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The Holmium YAG laser is used in the Deuk laser disc repair to remove only painful inflammatory tissue from the disc. The laser is precisely used to remove damaged disc material that is causing the pain. Once the inflamed painful part of the annular tear and the herniated nucleus pulposus have been removed, the endoscope and tubular retractor are removed, leaving less than one-quarter inch incision in the skin.

The total time for the Deuk laser disc repair surgery is one hour, and the patient is in recovery for about 45 to 60 minutes before being released to go home. Hospitalization is not needed and the risks of hospital-based surgery are avoided. Also, with the Deuk laser disc repair, there’s no loss of normal movement, and the flexibility of the disc and joint is preserved. The procedure is all natural allowing your body to heal the herniated or bulging disc itself.

After the surgery, the Deuk laser disc repair patient is back home, enjoying life with a speedy recovery allowing normal activities without pain. Another advantage of Deuk laser disc repair is that no opioids or powerful narcotic painkillers are needed after surgery. Open spine surgeries like microdiscectomy, laminectomy, artificial disc replacement and fusion all cause so much internal trauma that patients are in severe pain after surgery and must take painkillers for weeks after their surgery but not with Deuk laser disc repair.

The Deuk Spine Institute uses the most sophisticated equipment, microscope, endoscopic cameras, and lasers available with a board-certified anesthesiologist to perform your surgery in a state-of-the-art outpatient center designed especially for spine surgery. The goal of the Deuk Spine Institute is to provide the very best care for our patients and get them back to their pain-free life as quickly as possible.

If you are struggling with a herniated disc or other degenerative disk disease and would like to learn more about the Deuk Laser Disc Repair, contact us today. 

Other options include:

There are a few other surgical options for treating disc displacement. One is called a cervical laminectomy, which involves removing part of the bone that covers the spinal cord in the neck area. This relieves pressure on the spinal cord and can help improve symptoms.

Another option is called a foraminotomy, which involves widening the small opening where the nerveroot exits the spine. This can also help relieve pressure on the spinal cord and improve symptoms.

Disc replacement is another option, which involves removing the damaged disc and replacing it with an artificial one. This can help to restore normal function and alleviate pain. 

Each person will respond differently to these various surgical options, so it is important to discuss all of the risks and benefits with your surgeon before making a decision.