根據一項最新研究，一種微創治療腰椎椎間盤突出的新方法，預后良好，特別是對患坐骨神經痛的患者。

這種治療方法叫做經皮椎間盤切除術，使用X線引導，通過皮膚和肌肉組織將套管插入椎間盤突出區域病變椎間盤，去除導致疼痛的膨大椎核。患者在注射區域使用足量的止痛和麻醉藥物確保肌肉松弛，但是仍然保持清醒從而可以報告任何可能出現的疼痛。在進入椎核之后，去除穿刺探針，然后使用套管插入必須的設備，使過量的凝膠狀物質蒸發或者吸出。在2周之內，大多數患者稱恢復了50-60%，而3個月的時候稱恢復了80-90%。
 
Partial Excision of Lumbar Disk Eases Pain 
 

A minimally invasive approach to treating herniated discs of the lumbar spine results in good outcomes, especially for patients with sciatica, according to a new study.

The procedure, called percutaneous diskectomy, is performed by inserting a cannula into the herniation through skin and muscle tissues, using x-ray guidance to direct it into the offending disk, to eliminate the portion of the bulging nucleus that is causing pain. Patients receive local pain relief at the injection site and enough anesthesia to relax, but remain awake so they can report any pain they experience. After accessing the disk, the puncturing stylet is removed, and the cannula is used to insert devices needed to vaporize or suction out excess gelatinous substance. Within two weeks, most patients say they are 50-60% better and by three months, they are 80-90% better.