Nucleoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure performed under light sedation and it is performed 'percutaneously' enabling to cauterize internal parts of the disc with dual benefit: to cause a retractable scar that will reduce pressure on the pinched nerve and to destroy the nerve endings in the disc ring, which are transmitting discogenic pain.

Benefits of intervention

The nerve root decompression relieves pain slowly and progressively as the internal scar takes a few days-weeks to retract the herniated material. The lack of sensitivity may take longer to recover or, rarely, to remain as a sequel, depending on the degree of damage already established.

The purpose of nucleoplasty is primarily the decompression of the neural structure, not to restore the integrity of the spine, so it is important to compensate the loss of a disk by strengthening muscles, which will occur after 2 months.

Medical-technical description

In nucleoplasty it is necessary to puncture the affected disc and insert a specific electrode connected to special equipment or radiofrequency coblation, to manage thermo-electric doses suitable for generating the internal scar

Nucleoplasty is performed in an operating room. The patient is placed lying on the stomach (lumbar nucleoplasty) or back (cervical nucleoplasty) and under mild sedation. The puncture is performed under local anesthesia with X-rays guidance to locate the disk.

Normally, the entire procedure takes 20 minutes. No hospital stay required. However, the patient must be under observation for an hour.

Preoperative Measures

• Prior assessment at the day clinic, deciding and stating the specific aspects of the intervention and giving informed consent
• Conduct a comprehensive preoperative blood tests, ECG and X-ray studies
• Do not drink alcohol or smoke 48 hours before surgery
• If surgery is scheduled in the morning, no breakfast before going to hospital. If it is afternoon, early breakfast and no food or drink from 9 am
• Do not wear any metal object during operation (rings, bracelets, earrings, piercing, etc.)

Postoperative cares (lumbar nucleoplasty)

• Once discharged, you must avoid the following movements and postures for 10 days:
  1. Load weight
  2. Spinal Posture
  3. Housework
  4. Walking: You can walk the days following surgery, but no more than 15 minutes during the first week.
  5. Then, make normal life
• No need to wear a corset after surgery, but you can wear a common gridle if you feel more comfortable the first few days
• Once discharged, you must contact us if you have fever and chills

Postooperative cares (cervical nucleoplasty)

• Resume normal life
• Once discharged, you must contact us if you have fever and chills

« Go back