Spinal decompression

[2] The purpose of this procedure is to relieve the pressure and reduce the local inflammatory reaction around a nerve root, caused by the herniated nucleus pulposus.

Laminectomy is an open or minimally invasive surgical procedure in which a portion of the posterior arch of the vertebrae and/or spinal ligaments is removed from the spine to alleviate the pressure on the spinal canal contents.

[3] In the cervical and thoracic spine it is used to treat myelopathy caused by compression of the spinal cord itself.

[4] A 2021 meta-analysis showed physiotherapy was an effective method of managing prolapsed lumbar intervertebral discs;[5] but was unable to establish the source of the pain relief reported.

[6] Nucleoplasty is removal of tissue from the nucleus pulposus using a bipolar radiofrequency device.