Discectomy is used to treat patients with herniated disc problems who have not responded to such conservative treatment as bed rest, physical therapy and muscle relaxants.

The procedure is minimally invasive and performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia to remove herniated disc material. Under x-ray guidance, the surgeon inserts a video endoscope and a probe through the skin and into the herniated portion. Tools are used to take out a portion of the bone compressing the spinal nerves, or suction the troublesome disc material into the probe while leaving the healthy part of the disc in tact.