Non-Surgical Treatment of Herniated Disc (Intradiscal RF / Laser / Ozone Ablation)

A significant number of our patients with herniated discs do not fully recover after physical therapy, or even if they experience temporary pain relief, they experience the same discomfort again. These patients may ultimately require herniated disc surgery. Unfortunately, for many herniated disc patients, surgery is not a definitive solution. Furthermore, recurrence of herniated discs after surgery is a common occurrence. For all these reasons, nonsurgical treatment options such as radiofrequency ablation are frequently used in the treatment of

RF ablation is a relatively easy and safe method for treating a herniated disc. While it's relatively new and expensive, it's a frequently preferred method to avoid surgery. The treatment process involves placing the patient face down in the lumbar region under local anesthesia, inserting a thin needle into the herniated disc. The RF fiber, once inserted into the herniated area, heats the protruding disc and retracts it. This process reduces pressure on the nerves by retracting the protruding disc. You can view a video of a device (Yesdisc) developed for RF ablation in the treatment of a herniated disc here.

This new treatment method is frequently performed by pain management specialists, including algiologists and interventional radiologists.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Mahir Atasoy

Interventional Radiology