Percutaneous Disc Decompression for the Treatment of Chronic Atypical Cervical Discogenic Pain

Abstract

Percutaneous disc decompression with the radiofrequency coblation technique has been described to treat contained, symptomatic lumbar disc herniations. In symptomatic cervical disc herniations it has been used very selectively. We report a 42-year-old female with cervical disc pathology, predominantly at C6/C7, treated with percutaneous disc decompression using coblation technology. Her complaint of cervicogenic cephalgia completely resolved, along with an 85% reduction of neck pain and upper extremity pain 6-months post-operatively. This is the first case report of chronic cervical discogenic pain being treated with this technique.