A herniated disc occurs when the soft, gelatinous center of a spinal disc (the nucleus pulposus) pushes through a tear in its tough outer rubbery ring (the annulus fibrosus). This displacement can happen suddenly due to an acute injury or develop gradually over time from repetitive mechanical stress. When the displaced disc material escapes its normal boundaries, it can directly compress adjacent nerve roots or trigger an inflammatory chemical reaction that irritates the spinal nerves.
This nerve irritation typically causes radiculopathy- sharp, shooting pain that radiates down the arm from the neck or down the leg from the lower back (commonly known as sciatica). It can also cause localized numbness, tingling sensations, and pinpoint muscle weakness.
Helios Neurosurgery approaches disc herniations with a practical, common-sense philosophy. We recognize that the human body has an impressive capacity to heal; a significant majority of disc herniations naturally resorb and resolve with structured conservative care, such as targeted physical therapy, short-term anti-inflammatory medications, or epidural steroid injections.
We monitor your progress closely to ensure your safety. However, if conservative measures fail to provide adequate relief, or if severe nerve compression compromises your motor function, we provide precise, minimally invasive surgical options. Through a microdiscectomy, Dr. Lee uses a very small, muscle-sparing incision and high-definition visualization to carefully remove only the herniated fragment. This quickly relieves pressure on the compressed nerve while preserving the healthy structure of your spine.
