LASER treatment for disc disease
laser treatment for disc problems is called Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression(PLDD). This treatment is now available in India.
PLDD is the minimally-invasive medical procedure developed by Dr. Daniel S.J. Choy in 1986 that uses a laser beam to treat back and neck pain caused by a herniated disc.
A herniated disc is like a balloon with a weak spot. Inflating it will cause a bulge (herniation). Pain results from the bulge pressing against nerves in the spinal column. The patients who have contained intervertebral disc on imaging and has not responded to medication for one month are suitable candidates for this treatment.
The PLDD treatment is performed using only local anesthesia. During the procedure, a thin needle is inserted into the herniated disc under x-ray guidance. SevenHills hospital has cathlab with CT scan capability by which we can precisely place the needle and check results after laser therapy. An optical fiber is inserted through the needle and laser energy is sent through the fiber, vaporizing a tiny portion of the disc nucleus. This creates a partial vacuum which draws the herniation away from the nerve root, thereby relieving the pain. The effect usually is immediate, but pain relief may be seen after a week or upto 2 months. In carefully selected cases 80% patients are benefitted.
Patients get off the table with just a small adhesive bandage. 24 hours of bed rest is advised. Then patients begin progressive ambulation and most return to work in four to five days.
Because only a thin needle is used, there is no cutting and no scarring; hence a very low risk procedure. Since only a tiny amount of disc is vaporized, there is no subsequent spinal instability. PLDD is different from open lumbar disc surgery because there is no damage to the back muscle, no bone removal or large skin incision. Most of the complications that may occur with open surgery are eliminated with the PLDD procedure. please visit my website www.irtreatments.com for further details