Specialized Spine Care in Colorado Springs

Lumbar Endoscopic Discectomy

Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group

Spinal conditions can affect your neck, back, movement, and overall quality of life. Pain, stiffness, numbness, or weakness can make it difficult to work, exercise, sleep, or perform everyday activities.

CSOG provides comprehensive care for a wide range of conditions affecting the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Our specialists use a conservative-first approach whenever appropriate, with treatment options that may include physical therapy, medications, injections, and other nonsurgical treatments. When surgery is necessary, advanced surgical techniques may provide another option.

Your care begins with a thorough evaluation to understand the source of your symptoms and how they are affecting you. We then develop a treatment plan based on your condition, goals, and individual needs.

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Disease Overview

The lower back or lumbar region is often the site of pain due to its high mobility and weight bearing. Spongy discs present between the vertebral bones helps cushion the spine during stress and movement. The intervertebral discs in the lumbar region may get damaged due to stress, causing them to herniate or rupture, and compress on adjacent spinal nerves. This can lead to lower back pain, as well as pain, weakness, and numbness in the lower legs.

What is Lumbar Endoscopic Discectomy?

Lumbar endoscopic discectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to treat a herniated or ruptured disc and relieve pressure on the spinal nerves.

Lumbar Endoscopic Discectomy Procedure

Lumbar endoscopic discectomy is performed under local anesthesia. With the help of imaging studies, your doctor identifies the affected disc and inserts a metal tube into the disc space. An endoscope, a lighted viewing tube with a camera, is introduced through the metal tube to enable your doctor to view enlarged live images on a monitor. Instruments are then introduced through the metal tube and the surgery performed under image guidance. The herniated or ruptured disc is removed and components placed to stabilize the spine.

Advantages of Lumbar Endoscopic Discectomy

Lumbar endoscopic discectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that usually results in lower blood loss, less pain, minimal tissue damage, shorter hospital stay, and a faster recovery.

Risks and Complications of Lumbar Endoscopic Discectomy

Though complications are rare, lumbar endoscopic discectomy may be associated with prolonged pain, infection, bleeding, nerve injury and spinal fluid leakage.