Lumbar Percutaneous Mechanical Decompression

Lumbar percutaneous mechanical decompression is a minimally invasive spine procedure used to treat low back pain and sciatica caused by contained disc herniations and disc protrusions. The procedure reduces pressure on a compressed nerve root by removing a small portion of the herniated disc.

At Urban Spine and Joint in Jersey City, this outpatient procedure is performed under imaging guidance to ensure precision and safety.

What Is Lumbar Percutaneous Mechanical Disc Decompression?

When a lumbar disc herniates, the inner disc material (nucleus pulposus) bulges outward and compresses nearby nerve roots. This compression can cause:

  1. Sciatica (radiating leg pain)
  2. Numbness or tingling in the leg
  3. Muscle weakness
  4. Lower back pain

Lumbar percutaneous mechanical decompression uses a specialized device to remove a small amount of disc material, reducing internal disc pressure and relieving nerve compression.

Conditions Treated

Lumbar percutaneous mechanical decompression is indicated for:

  1. Contained lumbar disc herniation
  2. Disc protrusion
  3. Lumbar radiculopathy
  4. Sciatica
  5. Nerve root compression

The procedure is not typically recommended for large, extruded, or migrated disc fragments.

Indications for Lumbar Percutaneous Mechanical Decompression

You may be a candidate if you meet the following criteria:

  1. Unilateral leg pain greater than back pain
  2. Radicular symptoms in a dermatomal pattern correlating with MRI findings
  3. Positive straight leg raise or bowstring sign
  4. Neurological findings consistent with nerve compression
  5. No improvement after at least six weeks of conservative therapy
  6. Imaging (CT, MRI, or discography) confirming a contained subligamentous disc herniation
  7. Preserved disc height of approximately 60%

Proper patient selection is critical for optimal outcomes.

Table of Contents

How the Procedure Is Performed

Lumbar percutaneous mechanical decompression is performed in an outpatient setting under fluoroscopic (live X-ray) guidance.

The procedure typically includes:

  1. Administration of local anesthesia
  2. Insertion of a small needle into the affected disc
  3. Introduction of a specialized mechanical device
  4. Removal of a portion of the nucleus pulposus
  5. Needle removal and bandaging

The procedure usually takes less than one hour, and patients return home the same day.

Benefits of Atlanto-Occipital and Atlanto-Axial Joint Injections

  • Minimally invasive alternative to open surgery
  • Targeted nerve decompression
  • Reduced recovery time
  • Outpatient procedure
  • Decreased reliance on pain medication
  • Improved mobility and function

Begin your journey to recovery.

Reach out to our specialists to schedule an initial consultation. We’ll carefully review your symptoms and match you with the right expert for your specific condition.

CLINIC LOCATION

100 Town Square Place, Suite 405
Jersey City, NJ 07310

DIRECT CONTACT

(908) 665-1938
infor@urbanspinejoint.com

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