BIACUPLASTY

Disc biacuplasty is a medical procedure for treating chronic disc related pain. The discs are the cushions that separate the vertebrae in the spine and if a disc becomes displaced, bulged, torn or herniated it may cause pain in the area around it. 

The Biacuplasty uses water cooled radio frequency ablation to deactivate the nerves that are responsible for the pain in the discs. Using X- ray guidance two small needles are placed into the damaged disc. Inside they create heat and block the painful nerves, repairing the damaged collagen. The heat damages the abnormal nerves in the disc, stopping the pain messages, while at the same time strengthening the disc tissue. 

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM BIACUPLASTY TREATMENT

The procedure takes around 30 minutes and does not require general anesthesia, but the IV will pump antibiotics to prevent infections. The patient will lie down on the X-Ray table and the area with the damaged disc will be numbed. The physician will use X-Ray guidance to direct the two probes into the disc. When inserted the radio waves will gently warm up the area. This will deactivate the sensory nerves around the disc that send pain signals to the brain. 

After 15 minutes of the treatment the needles will be removed and a bandage will be placed on the skin. 

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER BIACUPLASTY TREATMENT 

After the treatment the patient may have sore muscles, and due to area aggravation the pain may even increase. In this case, it is better to apply ice than heat. A brace is required for 30 days as a precautionary measure, and the patient should avoid any heavy lifting. The pain should start disappearing after the second week.