PLDD – Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression

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Percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) is a type of surgery in which a laser probe is inserted into the intervertebral disc space and laser energy applied for achieving decompression and neuromodulation thereby relieving the pain. PLDD is a minimally invasive procedure that falls into the category of percutaneous intervertebral surgeries with the aim to significantly reduce the patient’s pain and recover neurological deficit. It is performed under local anesthesia. By a specially designed laser, with a coefficient of absorbing energy adjusted for soft discus tissue, specific amount of heat is sent to achieve the evaporation of the water from the disc without additional thermal damage thus achieving decompression and creation of a stable intradiscal scar that will prevent herniation from reoccurring.

If you suffer from agonizing back or neck pain as a result of a herniated disc, PLDD (Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression) offers quick relief without surgery.

Approved by the FDA and recognized by the AMA, PLDD is a minimally invasive laser treatment performed on an outpatient basis using only local anesthesia. During the procedure, a laser beam vaporizes a tiny portion of the disc, decompressing it. Patients typically get off the table and go home. There is no hospital stay, no long recovery period, and PLDD costs many thousands of dollars less than surgery.

PLDD is the minimally-invasive medical procedure developed by Dr. Daniel S.J. Choy in 1986 that uses a laser beam to treat back and neck pain caused by a herniated disc. A herniated disc is like a balloon with a weak spot. Inflating it will cause a bulge (herniation). Pain results from the bulge pressing against nerves in the spinal column.

The PLDD treatment is performed on an outpatient basis using only local anesthesia. During the procedure, a thin needle is inserted into the herniated disc under x-ray guidance. An optical fiber is inserted through the needle and laser energy is sent through the fiber, vaporizing a tiny portion of the disc nucleus. This creates a partial vacuum which draws the herniation away from the nerve root, thereby relieving the pain. The effect usually is immediate.

Patients get off the table with just a small adhesive bandage and return home for 24 hours of bed rest. Then patients begin progressive ambulation, walking up to a mile. Most return to work in four to five days.

Because only a thin needle is used, there is no cutting and no scarring. Since only a tiny amount of disc is vaporized, there is no subsequent spinal instability. PLDD is different from open lumbar disc surgery because there is no damage to the back muscle, no bone removal or large skin incision. Most of the complications that may occur with open surgery are eliminated with the PLDD procedure.

Who should consider PLDD?

This procedure is specifically designed for patients with disc problems accompanied by the following:
Severe leg, arm, neck or lower back pain.
Pain that has not responded to six weeks of conservative treatments- rest, meds or physical therapy.
Herniated lumbar discs confirmed by x-ray studies that may include one or more of the following: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), CAT Scanning, Myelography, Discography.

Images taken during PLDD – laser spine surgery in our clinic (images are copyrighted):

Posted by Spine Surgery Croatia @ 5 September 2010 27 comments

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Sep 13, 2010
1:42 pm

#1 DR.JAWAD LATIF JABER :

MY NAME DR.JAWAD LATIF FROM ROMANIA, I AM ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON AND I WANT TO MAKE ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN PLDD.
PLEASE, TELL ME,IF YOU CAN RECIVE ME AND THE TAX FOR THIS TRAINING.WE CAN DEVELOP YOUR PROJECT IN ROMANIA BECAUSE ISNT HERE THE SAME CLINIC.THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MY PHONE NUMBER 0040722506135

Author

Sep 13, 2010
1:46 pm

#2 Spine Surgery Croatia :

We are always open for co-operation, please provide us with e-mail address where we can continue communication.

Sep 30, 2010
10:24 am

#3 ashfaq khan :

i live in italia (macerata) my lower back muscle pain before 2 year and one year injur my upper back my age is 25 years how can imeet with u

Author

Sep 30, 2010
10:26 am

#4 Spine Surgery Croatia :

Please send us an email (info@spine-surgery-croatia.com).

Oct 20, 2010
1:26 am

#5 Dr.Raghu reddy :

Hi there, I am a 32 yr old surgeon with a l5s1 prolapse. I have tried conservative rx for 2 years, I believe the pain is worse now. Wondering waht would be the cost of pldd and how soon can it be done?

Regards

Author

Oct 20, 2010
1:29 am

#6 Spine Surgery Croatia :

Hello dr. Raghu. We will contact you by email in few minutes. If you did not receive our reply, let us know ASAP.

Nov 18, 2010
9:55 am

#7 Poornachander :

i was beeen operated through PLDD last year, is this causes spinal instability, iit was good for one year, but now i am getting pain again , plz clarify…..

Author

Nov 18, 2010
10:16 am

#8 Spine Surgery Croatia :

PLDD does not cause spinal instability. Your pains come from reherniation or some other source. We need t look at your MRI to confirm.

Jul 6, 2011
2:17 am

#9 ibrahim :

very good

Jul 21, 2011
10:20 am

#10 esmaeil khallaghi.neurosurgeon.Iran. :

Dear dr.Robert saftic
I am interested in endoscopic spine surgery and P.L.D.D.would you please let me know,how can i apply for spending a fellowship course in your center under your suppervision.thanks.

Author

Jul 21, 2011
10:21 am

#11 Spine Surgery Croatia :

Dear neurosurgeon, please send us an email directly.

Aug 5, 2011
1:17 am

#12 Dr.Rana :

I am Rana 23 yrs and i have two herinated discs L4/5 and L5/S1 … i am impressed with that laser procedure … but u didn’t mention anything about it’s side effects or it’s success percentage … waitig for reply and thank you.

Author

Aug 5, 2011
8:57 am

#13 Spine Surgery Croatia :

Please send us an email at info@spine-surgery-croatia.com Laser spine surgery has around 80-90% worldwide success rate. Side effects are much less than with traditional open spine surgery.

Sep 17, 2011
1:26 am

#14 sebastian grecu :

hello! I’m a 35 years old man and I have been diagnosed with herniated disc on the L5-S1 verterbras. if I send You my MRI, can You tell me if there is any chance to cure it with Your procedures? thanks!

Author

Sep 17, 2011
10:18 am

#15 Spine Surgery Croatia :

Dear Sebastian, we would be glad to give you second opinion. Do you have MRI on CD? Please write us at info@spine-surgery-croatia.com

Dec 14, 2011
12:27 pm

#16 Mila Presentacion :

Hello ! I’am a 54 year old lady who is suffering from cervical disc herniation/ prolapse since month of april this year. I had an MRI twice and my neuro surgeon is offering me a surgical management to ease my recurrent neck pain. I want to try this PLDD which
your clinic is offering. Please provide me an info on
when and how i can avail this treatment. Presently working here in UAE as health care staff.
Thanks and i would be greatful to hear from you.
Mila

Author

Dec 14, 2011
12:28 pm

#17 Spine Surgery Croatia :

Dear Mila, thank you for your comment. We will write you an email to talk about your problem. If you don’t receive our email, please let us know.

Apr 6, 2012
11:55 am

#18 MD Shajanul Islam Palash :

I am Bangladesh. I have cervical pain last one month.
I want to do PLDD in Thailand or India. Could you please share with me the hospital address thailand or India.
Regarding
Palash

Jun 12, 2012
5:05 pm

#19 Philip Tilson :

Can this treatment also help where osteophytes have developed in the cervical spine? I would be interested in learning more about where and at what cost this could be carried out.

Author

Jun 12, 2012
5:07 pm

#20 Spine Surgery Croatia :

Dear Philip,

PLDD surgery is not for osteophytes. There are other minimally-invasive treatments for osteophytes. Kind regards.

Aug 28, 2012
10:42 am

#21 basem philip yousef :

I am Basem 40 yrs and i have two herinated discs L4/5 and L5/S1 … i am impressed with that laser procedure … but u didn’t mention anything about it’s side effects or it’s success percentage … waitig for reply and thank you.

Author

Aug 28, 2012
10:47 am

#22 Spine Surgery Croatia :

Dear sir, success rates depend on patient diagnosis.. It varies from 70-90%. Complications list is very small. Most common is discitis, and we never experienced it. Join us on live chat for personalized talk.

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