Neuroplasty

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Nucleoplasty, also called percutaneous disc decompression, is a minimally invasive day surgery. It uses controlled radiofrequency coblation to shrink a herniated or bulging spinal disc and ease pressure on nearby nerve roots. It is done under local anaesthesia and X-ray guidance. Most patients go home the same day.

What Is Nucleoplasty?

Nucleoplasty, also known as percutaneous disc decompression, is a minimally invasive procedure that decompresses a herniated disc in the spine. A herniated disc can irritate nearby nerve roots. The procedure reduces the disc protrusion. It also lowers the pressure on the compressed nerve roots or spinal cord.

The procedure uses coblation, a form of controlled ablation. Coblation applies low temperature radiofrequency energy to dissolve tissue at the centre of the spinal disc. Once the excess disc tissue is vaporised, it creates a vacuum effect inside the disc. This draws the herniated portion back in. Nucleoplasty is one of the minimally invasive spinal and nerve treatments offered within Singapore Paincare’s Neurospan suite.

How Is Nucleoplasty Performed?

Nucleoplasty is performed as a day surgery. It has a low rate of complications and a short recovery period. The steps are:

Neuroplasty
  1. A small needle is placed at the centre of the affected disc, guided by X-ray for accurate positioning.
  2. Contrast dye is injected through the needle to improve visibility of the disc.
  3. A wand-like coblation device is passed through the needle. It generates radiofrequency energy that vaporises and removes excess disc tissue.
  4. This process relieves most of the pressure on the neighbouring nerve.

Who May Benefit From Nucleoplasty?

Nucleoplasty may be suitable for patients with:

Nucleoplasty is generally indicated for contained disc herniations, where the outer layer of the disc remains intact. It is not typically used for large or extruded herniations. Your specialist will confirm suitability with MRI imaging before recommending the procedure.

How We Determine If Nucleoplasty Is Right for You?

Not every episode of back or leg pain will respond to nucleoplasty. Our specialists use the Painostic® methodology to guide this assessment. It is a multi-dimensional review of pain pathology, pain patterns, and imaging findings. The goal is to confirm that a contained disc herniation is the primary source of a patient’s symptoms. This is combined with MRI confirmation and a history of symptoms. Patients typically qualify when conservative care, such as physiotherapy and medication, has not brought sufficient relief.

What is Recovery Like?

Nucleoplasty is performed as a day surgery. Patients can typically go home on the same day. Many can return to work or resume daily activities the following day. This varies by individual and by the physical demands of their work. Extended bed rest is generally not required. Once the anaesthesia wears off, patients may feel a different type of ache. The original pain may ease immediately or over the following weeks. Some patients compare the sensation to that of a dental procedure.

Is There Any Downtime?

Nucleoplasty typically involves minimal downtime compared with open spine surgery. It generally offers comparable pain relief to open discectomy, while involving a less invasive approach and a shorter recovery period. After the procedure, patients generally begin a rehabilitation programme to strengthen the surrounding muscles. Medication may also be prescribed. This is not for pain relief, but to help stabilise irritated nerves.

What Are the Risks and Side Effects?

Nucleoplasty carries a low risk of complications. The procedure is performed under X-ray guidance. This helps the surgeon identify safe treatment zones and stay clear of unsafe ones. Complications such as nerve injury, infection, or allergic reaction are uncommon. Nucleoplasty is generally associated with fewer complications than traditional open surgical discectomy. Individual risk still varies, and your specialist will discuss this with you based on your condition.

Is the Pain Relief Permanent?

Many patients experience a meaningful and lasting reduction in pain after nucleoplasty. Many are able to reduce or stop pain medication within the first year. For some, relief continues for many years. Relief is not the same for every patient, however. Nucleoplasty does not stop the underlying process of disc degeneration, so wear and tear can continue over time. A new area of pain can occur, either in a different disc or the same general region of the spine. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed

Frequently Asked Questions 

Nucleoplasty is performed under local anaesthesia, so patients generally feel minimal discomfort during the procedure itself. Mild soreness at the needle site is common afterward and typically settles within a few days.

The procedure itself typically takes around 30 to 45 minutes. This can vary depending on the number of discs treated and individual anatomy.

Candidates generally have a contained disc herniation confirmed on MRI. They typically have leg or back pain that has not responded to conservative treatment, such as physiotherapy or medication. A pain specialist can confirm candidacy through clinical assessment and imaging.

Nucleoplasty is performed through a needle under local anaesthesia. It does not require the incision used in open discectomy. It generally offers comparable pain relief to open discectomy, with a less invasive approach and a shorter recovery.

Many patients return to light activities or desk-based work the day after the procedure. This depends on the physical demands of the job and how the individual responds. Your specialist will advise on timing.

If symptoms persist, your specialist may recommend further evaluation, additional conservative treatment, or discuss other options such as open surgery. Speak to a pain specialist to find out if this treatment is right for you.

Updated 20 Aug 2026