Understanding Percutaneous Discectomy: A Minimally Invasive Solution for Back Pain

Back pain can significantly impact daily activities and reduce quality of life. Percutaneous discectomy, a minimally invasive procedure, offers a solution for individuals dealing with herniated discs and chronic pain. This blog explores what the procedure involves, its benefits, and what patients can expect.

What is Percutaneous Discectomy? A percutaneous discectomy is a procedure that involves removing a portion of a herniated or bulging disc to relieve pressure on nearby nerves. Unlike traditional open surgeries, it requires only small incisions and specialized instruments to access the affected disc.

Benefits of the Procedure:

• Less Invasive: Smaller incisions result in less tissue damage and quicker recovery.
• Faster Recovery: Most patients can resume light activities within days and return to full activity in a few weeks.
• Reduced Complications: Less disruption to muscle and tissue means fewer surgical risks.

Procedure Overview: After initial imaging confirms the source of pain, a patient undergoes the discectomy under local anesthesia with minimal sedation. A thin needle or tube reaches the affected disc, and the problematic portion is removed. The patient is usually discharged the same day and given post-procedure instructions, including rest and physical therapy.

Conclusion: Percutaneous discectomy offers hope for those suffering from persistent back pain due to herniated discs. Consulting an orthopedic specialist will help determine if this option is suitable.

Meet Pain Management Physician Dr. Dipan Patel

Dr. Dipan Patel is a board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain physician at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics. He considers it an honor to help people overcome their pain and regain their quality of life. His special interests include Botox® for chronic pain disorders, trigeminal neuralgia, temporomandibular joint disorders, and headache and chronic migraine. Dr. Patel also specializes in complex regional pain syndrome, joint pain, and post-laminectomy syndrome. He welcomes patients at four office locations: Edison, Clifton, Hazlet, and Jersey City, New Jersey.

After receiving his medical degree, Dr. Patel did his internship in internal medicine at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh and finished his residency in anesthesiology at New York Medical College. He completed an ACGME-accredited fellowship in interventional pain medicine at New York University Langone Medical Center in Manhattan. During his fellowship training, Dr. Patel developed advanced skills and experience at renowned New York City hospitals. These include Tisch Hospital of NYU, Hospital for Joint Disease, Manhattan Veteran’s Affairs Hospital, Bellevue Hospital, and specialty outpatient centers such as the Center for Musculoskeletal Care and the Center for the Study and Treatment of Pain. 

As a result, Dr. Patel possesses one of the most comprehensive skill sets within the discipline of interventional pain medicine. Dr. Patel is a contributing author on Spine-health.com where he has written patient education content about spinal conditions and treatments.Dr. Patel serves as a Director at Large of the Residents and Fellows Society for the North American Neuromodulation Society, which is a committee specially dedicated to growing the knowledge base of pain physicians, specifically as it pertains to spinal cord stimulation and intrathecal drug delivery systems. If you are experiencing chronic or acute pain in your neck or back, please react out to use to schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel. You can either call us, or use the “Book Now” button to schedule.