The human vertebrae is made up of 26 bones. Between each vertebra are “intervertebral discs” that provide cushion, absorb shock, and hold the spin in place.

A disc herniation is a condition that can cause pain for many individuals. Also known as a slipped disc, this condition occurs when some spinal fluid “jelly” leaks from a weaker spot on a spinal disk, also referred to as an intervertebral disc. Each spinal disc is filled with a jelly-like fluid in the center with a tough exterior. A herniated disc is most commonly found in the lower back but is not limited to that region. Sometimes, it can be found in the neck vertebrae. When the jelly-like fluid is freely-floating in the spine, the chemicals making up the fluid irritate nerves in the immediate are and can cause a great deal of discomfort and pain. This herniation can also place pressure on nerves, leading to back pain or numbness, muscle pain and weakness, notable in the arms or legs.

As someone ages, the intervertebral discs have decreased water content. This causes the disc to have a greater chance of splitting. While it’s not always feasible to find the exact time a herniated disc occurs, it may be caused by incorrectly moving/lifting heavy objects.

The SpineJet™ treatment is an especially viable possibility for patients who have had little success with less invasive treatments such as medication, chiropractic, physical therapy, or epidural spine injections.

The SpineJet HydroDiscectomy System is a minimally invasive procedure that safely decompresses discs to alleviate pain and avoid surgical procedures. It is a more effective alternative to a more invasive procedure such as a discectomy. The hydrodiscectomy is a newer technology using a fluid jet.

This technology was created by HydroCision, Inc, in Billerica, MA. The goal was to provide individuals with a much more minimally-invasive approach to the typical microdiscectomy. This newer percutaneous hydrodiscectomy has been proven to treat pain endured by disc herniations in patients.