Bulging Disc Surgery
Bulging disc surgery can be used to treat the nerve compression that often occurs as a result of a misshapen intervertebral disc. These operations typically involve the removal of the affected disc and possibly surrounding bone tissue, as well as the fusion of the adjacent vertebrae with a bone graft and hardware such as an intervertebral cage. Open back or neck surgery like this comes with a number of risks, including infection, failed back surgery syndrome, hardware rejection, long recovery times, and more.
Other Treatment Options
Surgery is typically only recommended for those few individuals who have failed to find relief from non-invasive bulging disc treatment, which may include:
- Over-the-counter or prescription pain medications
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Corticosteroid injections
- Physical therapy
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractics
- Restorative yoga
- And others
Considering an Endoscopic Procedure
In the event that these conservative and alternative treatments prove ineffective after several weeks or months, a highly invasive bulging disc surgery may not necessarily be the patient’s only option. Laser Spine Institute offers safe and effective alternatives to open back or neck surgery. Our minimally invasive spine procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, utilize small incisions, and don’t require general anesthesia. Patients in Tempe, Phoenix, Mesa, and other Southwest communities should contact Laser Spine Institute Scottsdale for more information and to schedule a complimentary review of an MRI or CT scan.
