Contained herniations
Best suited to disc bulges where the outer wall holds — reducing internal volume eases pressure on the nearby nerve.
Treatments · Percutaneous Spine Procedures
Percutaneous Nucleoplasty & Intradiscal Procedures
Needle-based procedures performed through the skin to treat disc-related pain without open surgery.
What it is
Decompressing the disc from within
Nucleoplasty treats a painful disc through a needle rather than an incision: a small amount of nucleus material is removed with controlled energy, lowering the pressure that bulges the disc wall against nearby nerves.
Discogenic pain
Where the disc itself generates pain, treating its interior addresses the source rather than the symptoms around it.
No open surgery
Performed through a needle under imaging guidance: no incision, no muscle disruption, no implant.
Staged thinking
A modest first step that resolves suitable cases outright — and leaves every larger option fully open if it does not.
What to expect
A needle procedure, not an operation
Performed with you awake under local anaesthesia, with imaging guiding every millimetre.
01
Needle placement
A fine needle enters the disc centre through a small skin puncture under continuous imaging guidance.
02
Volume reduction
Controlled energy removes a small amount of nucleus material, lowering internal disc pressure.
03
Aftercare
Brief rest, then gradual return to movement as advised. Report fever, worsening pain or new neurology promptly.
Common questions
Things patients ask us
How is this different from a discectomy?
A discectomy removes herniated tissue through an incision; nucleoplasty decompresses the disc from within through a needle. Smaller problem, smaller answer.
How long does the effect last?
Suitable cases often improve durably once pressure is relieved. Results depend on the disc, the level and what the rest of the spine looks like.
What are the risks?
Disc infection (discitis) is the specific concern and the reason for strict sterility; bleeding and nerve irritation are uncommon. Suitability screening comes first.
What if it does not work?
The disc and all surgical options remain untouched by the attempt — including microdiscectomy or disc replacement if later indicated.
Could this help you?
Send your imaging and history. The ProSpine team will review your case and respond with the next steps.
Free · No obligation · Reviewed by the ProSpine team