Orthopedic surgery focuses on the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and nerves of the body. Some injuries heal with rest and physical therapy, but others need a more direct approach. When a spinal disc or nerve causes ongoing pain, an orthopedic surgeon may suggest a minimally invasive procedure. Here are four spine procedures and how each one works:

Stopping Pain Signals

Endoscopic lumbar rhizotomy treats back pain that comes from the small facet joints of the spine. The surgeon inserts a thin camera through a small incision, and the camera shows the medial branch nerves. These nerves carry pain signals from the facet joints to the brain. In many cases, this orthopedic surgery procedure follows a similar sequence:

• Confirming the pain source with diagnostic nerve blocks
• Placing the endoscope through an incision under one inch long
• Cutting or ablating the targeted medial branch nerves
• Returning home the same day in most cases

This minimally invasive procedure aims to relieve chronic back pain while preserving mobility, offering a targeted solution for many patients. It requires only a small incision, and it may make recovery quicker and less challenging. By severing or ablating the medial branch nerves, it interrupts the pain signals traveling to the brain.

Decompressing Discs

When the soft center of a spinal disc bulges outward, it may press on nearby nerves. Percutaneous disc decompression targets this pressure through a needle instead of an open incision. The surgeon uses live X-ray imaging to guide the needle, and local anesthesia numbs the area. 

The needle reaches the center of the disc, and a small device removes a portion of the inner material. Some surgeons use radiofrequency energy, while others use a laser or a mechanical probe. Less material inside the disc may lower the pressure on the irritated nerve root. 

Patients typically go home on the same day. For some patients, the surgeon will limit heavy lifting and bending until the treated disc settles. This option suits contained disc bulges, but it may not fit a fully ruptured disc. An MRI helps your surgeon judge the condition of the disc beforehand.

Dissolving Herniated Discs

Herniated discs may respond to chemical treatment, and this approach avoids cutting or removing tissue with tools. The surgeon injects a substance directly into the center of the disc. The substance breaks down part of the inner material, which allows the disc to shrink away from the nerve. This method suits certain contained herniations rather than large, loose disc fragments.

Options include enzyme injections, medical ozone, and gelified ethanol. Availability differs by country, and not every product has approval. Since each agent works differently, your surgeon can explain its specific risks and typical recovery timeline. Imaging before treatment shows whether the outer wall of the disc remains intact.

Cauterizing Nerves

Radiofrequency ablation uses heat to cauterize nerves that send pain signals from the spine. A thin needle delivers a controlled electrical current to the target nerve. The heat creates a small lesion, and the nerve stops sending signals for a period of time. Before scheduling this procedure, your surgeon will review several factors:

• Results from prior diagnostic nerve blocks
• Medications and health history
• Chance of nerve regrowth 
• Recovery timeline and activity limits

Book an Orthopedic Surgery Consultation

Each of these procedures has a specific purpose, and each one carries its own risks. A consultation lets you discuss your symptoms, imaging results, and goals with a surgeon who treats spine injuries. Book an orthopedic surgery consultation today to review your treatment options, and bring a list of your symptoms, past treatments, and current medications to the visit.

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