Situation
Ms. JS is a 37-year-old nurse who
developed lancing right leg pain while assisting one of her patients. She had a long
history of back problems, which she could live with, but the sciatica was intolerable. MRI
indicated a large disc herniation at the L5-S1 level that was compressing the S1 nerve
root (Figure 23).
Figure 23. MRI reveals a herniated disc "x" at the L5-S1 level.
Treatment
Dr. McCormack performed an endoscopic
disc removal with a half-inch skin incision just large enough to insert the scope. The
patient went home the same day and had complete relief of her leg pain.
A.
Figure 24A. MED/Danek® endoscope
used for disc herniation
B.
Figure 24B. Intraoperative photo showing nerve root retracted with disc fragment.
Patient Comment
"I work at the same hospital as Dr. McCormack and I know he does
fantastic work. He is professional and his staff is really responsive and courteous."
Next case
Copyright the Neurospine Institute 1998.
Last edited 09/22/98.
