Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression (PLDD)
Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression (PLDD)
PLDD is a minimally invasive procedure that falls into the category of percutaneous intervertebral surgeries with the aim to significantly reduce the patient’s pain and recover neurological deficit.
Percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) is a type of surgery in which a laser probe is inserted into the intervertebral disc space and laser energy is applied to achieve decompression and neuromodulation, thereby relieving the pain. It is performed under local anesthesia. Via a specially designed laser, with a coefficient of absorbing energy adjusted for soft discus tissue, a specific amount of heat is sent to achieve the evaporation of the water from the disc without additional thermal damage, thus achieving decompression and creation of a stable intradiscal scar that will prevent herniation from reoccurring. Given the above, it is important for the patient to understand that this is an indirect method of reducing intradiscal pressure, creating space to pull the disc bulge towards the center of the disc.
If you suffer from agonizing back or neck pain as a result of a herniated disc, PLDD (Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression) offers quick relief without the need for classic open surgery.
PLDD is a minimally invasive laser treatment performed on an outpatient basis using only local anesthesia. During the procedure, a laser beam vaporizes a tiny portion of the disc, decompressing it. Patients typically get off the table and go home. There is no hospital stay, no long recovery period, and PLDD costs less than traditional surgery.
PLDD treatment is performed on an outpatient basis using only local anesthesia. During the procedure, a thin needle is inserted into the herniated disc under X-ray guidance. 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 is usually immediate.
Patients get off the table with just a small adhesive bandage and return home for 24 hours of bed rest. Then patients begin progressive ambulation, walking up to a mile. Most return to work in four to five days.
Since only a thin needle is used, there is no cutting and no scarring. 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.
Who should consider PLDD?
This procedure is specifically designed for patients with disc problems accompanied by the following:
- severe leg, arm, neck or lower back pain
- pain that has not responded to six weeks of conservative treatment – rest, meds or physical therapy
- herniated lumbar discs confirmed by X-ray studies that may include one or more of the following: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), CAT scanning, myelography, discography.