Percutaneous discectomy is an outpatient procedure that may be performed if contained disc herniation occurs. The procedure aims to relieve pressure on the nerve roots by removing material from the herniated disc.

Surgical procedure: the steps.

1. Generally, you will be given local anesthesia. All the procedure is performed under live video X-Ray.
2. A cannula (a thin needle) is inserted through your back into the disc.
3. A probe with a rotating tip is inserted through the cannula into the disc.
4. Due to the rotating movement of the tip, a small portion of the disc nucleus is removed.
5. The herniation is retracted, relieving pressure on the nerve.