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Orthopedic Services
Glendale Adventist Medical Center
1509 Wilson Terrace
Glendale, CA 91206
Ph: (818) 409-8000






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My father is scheduled for endoscopic surgery to remove a ruptured disc. Just what exactly is endoscopic surgery?

An endoscope is an instrument used to look inside a hollow organ like the bladder or an opening such as the chest cavity. The endoscope is a long, thin tool with a tiny camera mounted on the end. There is also a light mounted onto the lens to help the surgeon see what he or she is doing. A cable attached to the camera connects to a TV screen. The surgeon sees a magnified picture of what the camera shows in a fairly narrow field of vision.

The endoscope makes it possible to use a small incision yet still work on deep structures of the body. When using endoscopy to remove a disc, a local anesthesia is given first. Then a small probe is inserted into the disc. A larger tube is placed over the probe down to the annulus. The annulus is the outer covering of the disc.

A tiny cut is made right into the disc itself. A special probe is then inserted through the endoscopic tube. The disc is sucked out and the surgeon removes any small pieces or fragments of disc material that have come loose.

Patients often get pain relief right away. If there are no problems, they may go home the same day. Some people have trouble with muscle spasms and need to take a muscle relaxant. It's possible to go back to work several days later. There are restrictions on lifting and strenuous activities for the first few weeks.


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