A pinched nerve caused by an enlarged spinal disc can trigger various symptoms, including persistent back pain, tingling sensations, numbness, and limited mobility that interferes with daily activities. This condition is commonly experienced by both working-age adults and the elderly, whether due to degenerative processes, injury, or excessive pressure on the spine. Without proper treatment, symptoms may worsen over time and significantly affect quality of life.
Advances in medical technology now allow pinched nerves to be treated in a more modern and patient-friendly way. Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital offers plasma nucleoplasty as a minimally invasive approach to help relieve pinched nerves caused by enlarged spinal discs, aiming to reduce pain, accelerate recovery, and minimize procedural risks.
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Understanding Plasma Nucleoplasty at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital
Plasma nucleoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat back pain caused by bulging or herniated spinal discs. This technique utilizes plasma energy to precisely shrink excess disc tissue in a controlled manner, thereby reducing pressure on the affected nerve. The procedure is performed through a very small incision, allowing patients to recover faster compared to open surgery.
As an alternative to conventional spinal surgery, plasma nucleoplasty works by reducing the problematic portion of the disc without extensive tissue cutting. This technique has been pioneered at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital together with dr. Christian Ariono, Sp.BS, FINSS, FICS, FINPS, and has been used to treat more than 50 patients with pinched nerve conditions.
How Plasma Nucleoplasty Works to Treat a Pinched Nerve
Below are the stages of plasma nucleoplasty for treating a pinched nerve caused by an enlarged spinal disc:
- Target localization: The physician uses X-ray guidance to accurately identify the affected disc.
- Insertion of a specialized instrument: A special needle is precisely inserted into the bulging disc area.
- Plasma energy delivery: A filament tip within the needle generates focused high-temperature plasma energy.
- Disc shrinkage: The plasma energy reduces the volume of the disc nucleus (nucleus pulposus), allowing the protruding disc to retract.
- Final outcome: Pressure on the nerve is reduced, helping relieve back pain and radiating pain to the legs.
Advantages of Plasma Nucleoplasty
Plasma nucleoplasty offers several advantages compared to other treatment methods, including:
- More even heat distribution: Plasma energy can be delivered more evenly across the spinal disc compared to rigid, straight-tip technologies.
- Flexible instrument that follows disc anatomy: The plasma probe tip can curve to follow the horseshoe-shaped contour of the disc ring, allowing more precise treatment.
- Minimally invasive procedure: The procedure requires a very small incision, generally less than 1 cm, resulting in minimal tissue trauma and faster recovery.
- Performed under local anesthesia: Patients remain conscious during the procedure and can communicate directly with the physician.
- Lower risk of side effects: Real-time interaction during the procedure allows close monitoring of the patient’s condition and reduces the risk of unwanted side effects.
Profile of dr. Christian Ariono, Neurosurgeon at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital
dr. Christian Ariono is a neurosurgeon with extensive experience in managing various cases of pinched nerves. In addition to plasma nucleoplasty therapy, he is also proficient in arthrospine techniques, which are tailored to each patient’s specific condition.
He completed his medical degree at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, and continued his specialist training through the Residency Department of Neurosurgery at the same institution.
To continuously enhance his expertise, dr. Christian actively participates in numerous national and international courses and training programs, including:
- The 4th Aesculap Academy & Padjadjaran University Skullbase Cadaver Dissection Resident Course & Cerebrovascular Microanastomosis Course, Bandung (2019)
- Trigeminal Neuralgia International Awareness Day Symposium, Jakarta (2019)
- 23rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Indonesian Society of Neurological Surgeon & WFNS Educational Course, Yogyakarta (2019)
- Bandung International Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeon Course, Bandung (2019)
- 15th Asian Australasian Advanced Course of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Mito, Japan (2018)
- Pediatric Neurosurgery Symposium, NUH Singapore (2017)
- 2nd ISPN Educational Course, Kuala Lumpur (2017)
Practice Schedule of dr. Christian Ariono at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital
dr. Christian Ariono, Sp.BS, FINSS, FICS, FINPS is available at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital on:
- Monday: 08.00 – 16.00 WIB
- Tuesday: 08.00 – 12.00 WIB
- Wednesday: 08.00 – 16.00 WIB
- Thursday: 08.00 – 16.00 WIB
- Friday: 08.00 – 16.00 WIB
- Saturday: 08.00 – 16.00 WIB
To make your visit more convenient, you can use the Chat feature via WhatsApp, Book Appointment, or the Care Dokter application, which can be downloaded on Google Play and the App Store to help schedule visits, view queue numbers, and access other complete information.
