Percutaneous Automated Diskectomy in Athletes

In brief: Six athletes underwent percutaneous automated diskectomy-a new technique for aspirating lumbar disks. The patients had herniated lumbar disks (confirmed by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans, and/or myelography). Conservative therapy had failed, and they were unable to participate in their respective sports. The procedure, which requires local anesthesia and takes about 45 minutes, was successful in all six cases. No serious complications resulted, and the athletes returned to their sport and functioned normally within six months. Thus, percutaneous automated diskectomy seems to be a reasonable treatment alternative for athletes with herniated lumbar disks without fragmentation into the spinal canal.