Chemonucleolysis is a procedure that generally does not require recovery in the hospital. It may be performed in case of herniated disc, aiming to reduce the disc’s size.

The procedure can be performed only if the disc is not broken (ruptured)

Prior to the surgery the surgeon need to evaluated the condition of the disc through specific diagnosis such as CTscan or discography,

Since an enzyme is injected during the procedure, your doctor has to ensure that you have no allergy.

Surgical procedure: the steps.

1. Generally, you will be given local anesthesia
2. The surgeon will introduce a needle through your back into your disc.
3. An enzyme called chymopapain (derived from the tropical papaya tree) is injected in the disc space.
4. The enzyme speed up the process of breakdown of the nucleus, which releases water.  
5. As an effect, the disc may shrink and relieve pressure on the nerve roots, the cause of the pain.