Percutaneous Mechanical Disc Decompression is the treatment of Sciatica

A state of the art alternative to back surgery 

By Haddis T. Hagos, M.D.

Percutaneous Mechanical Disc Decompression, a state of the art alternative to back surgery, is a less invasive procedure performed using a needle to decompress bulging or herniated lumbar discs. The mechanism of action of all mechanical percutaneous discectomy techniques rely on removing a small amount of nuclear material to create a change in intradiscal pressure. It is done with a pneumatically driven, suction cutting probe inserted via a cannula with a 2.8 mm outer diameter about 1-3 grams of disc material is removed reducing intradiscal pressure and decompress the nerve roots. A similar procedure called Laser Discectomy is used to reduce intradiscal pressure by vaporizing a small amount of nucleus pulposus.

INDICATIONS  

Unilateral leg pain of at least three months duration.

Radiculopathy correlating with MRI findings.

Positive straight leg raising test

Well maintained disc

No response to conservative treatment

No response to epidural injections

Short term relief following selective nerve root block

Contained disc herniation

ADVANTAGES 

Less invasive than open surgery

Less expensive

Less risk of destabilization

Less risk of breach of the spinal canal

Less risk of chronic nerve root irritation

Less risk of Epidural Fibrosis (scar formation)

In the properly trained and experienced hands, percutaneous discectomy is a safe and less invasive alternative to Laminectomy in carefully selected patients. There are numerous studies that show that it is an effective modality of treatment for these patients.

Here at the Washington Metro Pain Institute perform this and many other outpatient pain management procedures in a safe, state of the art facility. Safe and monitored sedation is provided by an experienced Anesthesiologist for your comfort.

Please call our office to schedule a consultation today at 301-220-2333.

Dr. Haddis Hagos, DABA

After finishing his training in anesthesiology and pain management at the New York Medical College, Dr. Hagos joined the Washington Hospital Center as an attending physician in 1992.

Dr. Hagos has been in interventional pain medicine practice since 1992. He worked initially as an anesthesiologist/pain management physician at the Washington Hospital Center. He later became Director of Pain Management at the Washington Hospital Center and served in that capacity for several years. Dr. Hagos is certified by the American Board of Anesthesiologists in anesthesiology and in pain medicine. Dr. Hagos has been in private practice since 2003 and is a founding member and Medical Director of Washington Metro Pain Institute, formerly known as Pain Management Associates.