Physician - Procedure Information
Procedure Information:
The mission of ArthroCare Spine is to provide tools for minimally invasive surgery in order to advance the treatment of patients with spine-related symptoms. We would like to provide the necessary information to help you understand the Plasma Disc Decompression treatment and how to integrate it into your patient treatment algorithm. Plasma Disc Decompression is a minimally invasive surgical procedure for disc decompression. It is indicated for treatment of symptomatic patients with contained herniated discs. By utilizing ArthroCare's patented Coblation technology for tissue removal, Plasma Disc Decompression allows disc decompression to be achieved safely and effectively. ArthroCare’s patented Coblation technology has been used to perform over 100,000 Plasma Disc Decompression procedures since the year 2000.

The AccuMeter was the first device cleared by the FDA for use in the diagnosis of herniated discs. It is designed exclusively for measurement at lower pressures such as those used in this procedure. It is generally accepted among clinicians that discography is the most reliable test to diagnose discogenic pain.1  Pressure controlled discography has also been shown to reduce false positive results.2  The AccuMeter uses digital manometric pressure readings in discography to provide quantitative results that are easy to interpret thereby diagnosing herniated or otherwise diseased intervertebral discs in the spine prior to treatment.

1Abdi, S, MD, PhD., Lumbar Discography, Low Back Pain-Diagnosis. Interventional Pain Management.
2Derby, R., MD., Pressure controlled lumbar discography in volunteers without low back symptoms. Pain Medicine 2005.
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