Herniated Disc Surgery NYC | Best Herniated Disc Surgery in New York

The spine is a column of bones that are separated by spongy intervertebral discs. These discs prevent the bones of the spinal column from grinding against one another by acting as shock absorbers and allow the spine to move. Each disc is made up of annulus fibrosus, which is a strong outer ring of fibers and a soft, gel-like center called the nucleus pulposus.

Herniated discs occur when the strong fibers of the annulus tear or rupture and the gel-like center migrates or pushes out of its normal position and into the limited space of the spinal canal. The displaced disc may exert pressure on the spinal cord or compress nearby spinal nerves. In addition, chemical irritants with the disc material are released that can cause nerve inflammation and pain. Herniated discs are more likely to be found in the neck or lower back but can occur in any area of the spine. Fortunately, Dr. Stieber's NYC herniated disc surgery can treat these symptoms and problems.

Symptoms

When a herniated disc presses on a nerve, you may experience pain, numbness, and/or weakness of the affected area. In contrast, for those patients without significant nerve compression, mild pain or discomfort may be the only symptom. The location and severity of the herniated disc usually dictate the symptoms.

Symptoms of a herniated disc in the lower back include:

Mild to severe lower back pain that is aggravated by movement.
Muscle spasm.
Sciatica (pain, burning, tingling, or numbness that extends from the buttock into the leg or foot).
Leg weakness or loss of leg function.

Symptoms of a cervical (neck) herniated disc may include:

Mild to sharp pain in the neck or between the shoulders blades that is aggravated by movement.
Pain that radiates down into the arm, hand or fingers. This is called a radiculopathy.
Numbness or tingling in the shoulder or arm.

Causes

In New York, herniated disc surgery is most commonly performed on a wide age range of adults and frequently caused by age-related wear and tear or acute spinal injuries. Spinal discs can naturally dry out with age, losing resiliency and strength. This can make them more likely to tear or rupture.

Additional factors that can increase the risk for disc herniation include:

Excessive force to the spine i.e., falling or collision injuries
Incorrect and/or repetitive lifting or twisting
Obesity, lack of regular exercise, tobacco use

Diagnosis

If you have back pain and you suspect that a herniated disc is the underlying cause, you will need to contact our New York office and schedule a consultation to confirm the diagnosis and receive a customized treatment plan that can treat your condition.

Contact Dr. Stieber to receive herniated disc surgery in New York, and during your visit, you will undergo a complete physical examination and neurologic examination of the spine.

Dr. Stieber may also order an x-ray, CT scan, MRI or specialized nerve tests if he suspects that another condition is involved or needs to identify the specific nerves that may be affected he to further evaluate the area.

Treatment

Most disc herniations do not require herniated disc surgery. The condition often resolves within four to six months. In the meantime, there are many non-surgical treatments that can help relieve symptoms including:

• Medications, such as anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling and pain, muscle relaxants to calm spasms, and narcotics to alleviate acute pain.

• Epidural corticosteroid injection(s) may help relieve significant radiating pain in the arm or leg.

• Physical therapy, which may include massage, stretching, therapeutic exercise, bracing, or traction to decrease pain and increase function

For those patients that do not need herniated disc surgery in New York, you will find our outpatient non-surgical microdiscectomy has a multitude of benefits. Click here to learn more.

Herniated Disc Surgery

Dr. Jonathan Stieber is known throughout New York for his effective and personalized approach to resolving back pain. During your consultation, he will formulate a custom treatment plan that is based on your symptoms. Conservative approaches may be all that’s required if your condition is steadily improving. If your condition continues to worsen, Dr. Stieber's NYC herniated disc surgery may be the best treatment option.

The standard surgical procedure for treatment of a lumbar herniated disc is laminotomy and discectomy. During the procedure, Dr. Stieber will remove a small piece of the bone to gain access to the spinal canal (laminotomy) and then removes a portion of the herniated disc (discectomy). Spinal fusion may be required in certain cases.

For lumbar disc herniation patients requiring herniated disc surgery, Dr. Stieber offers the most advanced minimally invasive treatment options using extremely small incisions and allowing outpatient treatment. During a tubular microdiscectomy, a robotic microscope will be used to remove the offending herniated disc through an incision of 16-18mm. Endoscopic discectomy is a procedure that utilizes a specialized camera inserted into the spinal canal through a ¼ inch incision and dedicated instruments to treat damaged discs. Benefits of these minimally-invasive approaches include decreased pain, quicker recovery, and an enhanced cosmetic result.

How to Prevent a Herniated Disc

The following steps can help keep your spine healthy and reduce your chances of experiencing back pain in the future:

Exercise Regularly

Strengthening your back and abdominal muscles can prevent and support the spine.

Practice Good Posture

Reduce pressure on your spine and discs by keeping your back in a healthy alignment. Pay close attention to your posture when sitting down. Lift heavy objects with your legs, not your back.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Another risk for herniation can be linked to being overweight, which places additional pressure on your spine and discs.

Herniated Disc