Finally Today

What was the ABC News story about herniated disk 2 weeks ago?

My Dad has herniated disks. He says that he saw a new story about a new surgery or procedure for herniated disks on ABC News about two weeks ago (late Dec 2008/early Jan 2009). It had something to do with silicone??? I have researched on the web but cannot find anything. Anyone out there know what this was all about? His back is hurting and he wants to look into this. Thanks.

Public Comments

1. The one I saw was about the equipment that allows more accuracy to locate the pins in the spine. It projects the direction/angle of the insertion of the pin. This is suppose to place it right and reduce problems and the chance of another surgery
2. www.back.com/articles-trial.html The only mention of silicone is a part of the device is made from it. These are trials for the device...good luck to your Dad. Herniated discs are very painful, but they usually resolve on their own and if he tries yoga, it can help tremendously. I know because I have several herniated discs and an advanced case of degenerative disc disease from injuries.
3. It is an outpatient surgery. The specialist finds the discs that have lost the "sponge" between them and inserts silicone or padding in between the discus with a long probe/needle that requires outpatient anesthesia. This option if your ffather qualifies can save the 6 months of open back surgery and the horrible side effects that go hand in hand with that type of suergery. Hope he qualifies and is eligible for this new type of surgery to repair back problems. The recovery time is way shorter only about 3 -4 weeks or less depending on how he does. I would definitely recommend this type of surgery so he can fix the herniated disc and relieve his pain and get him back to normal. Check for back surgeons or neurosurgeons on0line or with the AMA. com and they should recommend a good surgeon. Good luck to him I know what its like to have this problem I had 3 open back surgeries I wish I could have qualified for this type of new procedure, less pain, less recovery time. I'm sorry to disagree but no amount of yoga or other exercises could help me when it got that bad I had to crawl around the house so don't let him get this bad opting for alternative methods you're just wasting time. My advice get it done early and fix it before it gets as bad as mine that not even painful narcotics helped. It was either surgery or a wheelchair. I opeted for surgery but "open" back surgery cause I waited too long and tried so many other options cause I didn't want to do it either.