Summary
A patient began noticing progressive arm pain and weakness in his dominant right arm, prompting a visit to his primary care doctor who ordered an MRI and referred him to Deuk Spine Institute. After watching videos and testimonials online he was confident in his choice and underwent the Deuk Laser Disc Repair® on two cervical discs. Performed through two four-millimeter incisions with laser debridement of the annular tears. Without fusion plates or artificial discs. Within an hour of his outpatient surgery he was home resting on his couch. Less than 24 hours later he reported no neck pain and no arm pain, his wife’s nervousness had been soothed by the caring and professional staff, and he was planning to spend the afternoon on the beach.
Transcript
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: I’m here with one of my patients who underwent surgery yesterday with the Deuk Laser Disc Repair® on his cervical spine. He’s here less than 24 hours from his surgery. And how are you feeling today?
Patient: I’m feeling great. No more neck pain. No more arm pain.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: So you came to us here at Deuk Spine because you were having neck pain and it was going into your right arm, and it was affecting your work and your quality of life, right? Tell us about that.
Patient: I first started noticing a lot of arm pain and a lot of weakness in my right side arm and that’s my dominant arm. So I knew something was going on. And then finally I went and saw my primary care, he took me to get an MRI, and that’s when I noticed that I had some issues going on. He referred me to Deuk, and I’m very pleased that I didn’t have to search around. I was really confident from watching all the videos and testimonials that this would be the right choice.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Yeah. And you can see in your surgery here we made a tiny little cut on your neck in two spots, four millimeters, because you had two discs that needed to be fixed. So we separated and used the laser to remove the herniations along with the endoscope. We did an annular debridement. Cleaned up the tear that was there in the back of your disc. Everything went really well. You didn’t have to have a fusion, did you? I mean, that’s what most doctors will tell their patients they need a fusion or an artificial disc.
Patient: Correct. I didn’t have to get the aggressive plates put in. I’m really happy that it was just two little holes. That’s it.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: And it was outpatient.
Patient: Yes. I was home laying on my couch within an hour after the surgery.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Within an hour?
Patient: Yeah. That was nice to be able to recover at home.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Yeah. Not have to go to the hospital.
Patient: Correct.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Well, is there anything else you want to share with your audience?
Patient: My wife and I both came in a little nervous yesterday and the staff just comforted us very professional, very caring. They explained everything from the beginning to the end. We were very pleased now that we chose this route.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: So what’s life look like for you now that you’ve got these symptoms gone?
Patient: I’m hoping to go sit on the beach this afternoon.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: And you will. Very good. Congratulations on taking the step and doing so well.
Patient: Thank you.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: All right. Have a nice day.
Deuk Laser Disc Repair® at Deuk Spine Institute
This patient underwent the Deuk Laser Disc Repair® for two cervical disc herniations at Deuk Spine Institute. Treating neck pain and progressive right arm weakness caused by nerve compression in the cervical spine. Using a laser endoscope through two four-millimeter incisions, Dr. Deukmedjian performed annular debridement to clean the tears in the back of both discs and remove the herniations pressing on the nerve roots. Without fusion hardware, artificial discs, or metal plates. The procedure was completed as an outpatient surgery and the patient was home on his couch within one hour, with complete elimination of neck and arm pain achieved by the following morning. Unlike the ACDF fusion or artificial disc replacement that most surgeons recommend for cervical disc herniations, the Deuk Laser Disc Repair® preserves full cervical mobility, avoids metal hardware, requires no hospitalization, and typically requires no narcotic pain medication post-operatively. Patients experiencing neck pain with arm pain or weakness are encouraged to submit their MRI for a complimentary MRI review and virtual consultation with Dr. Deukmedjian at Deuk Spine Institute.