Herniated Disc Treatment
In Melbourne, FL

Suffering from a herniated disc? Our team has decades of experience helping patients get out of pain and back to living life, starting with the least invasive treatment that works. Visit us at our Melbourne office.

50,000+Patients treated
4.6★Across 1,100+ reviews
FastAppointments, often the same week
Board-certifiedFellowship-trained surgeons

The Minimally Invasive Advantage

How ultra-minimally invasive and endoscopic procedures compare with traditional open surgery, and why most patients recover faster.

Traditional open surgeryMinimally invasive / endoscopicOur specialty at Total Spine
IncisionA lengthy incision is required to expose the spine.A tiny incision, smaller than a dime, is used.
Muscle and soft tissueMuscle is cut and dissected to reach the spine.Muscle is preserved and gently moved aside, supporting a quicker recovery.
Hospital stayTypically an overnight or multi-day hospital stay.A same-day procedure; most patients return home within hours.
Blood loss and infection riskGreater blood loss and a higher risk of infection.Minimal blood loss and a lower risk of infection.
Postoperative painMore pain, often requiring stronger medication for longer.Markedly less pain for most patients, with lighter use of pain medication.
Return to daily activityA lengthy recovery, often weeks to months before normal activity.A faster recovery; many patients resume light activity within days.
ScarringLeaves a larger, more noticeable scar.Leaves only a small scar.

For the right candidate, our minimally invasive approach means less pain, a faster recovery, and a quicker return to the life you have been missing.

Symptoms Of Herniated Discs

Symptoms depend on where the disc has herniated and whether it is pressing on a nerve. Common signs include:

  • Localized pain in the lower back or neck.
  • Radiating symptoms, such as pain, numbness, or tingling into an arm, hand, leg, or foot.
  • Muscle weakness in the affected limb.
  • Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Relief with position changes, such as reclining or shifting posture.
Labeled diagram of a herniated disc compressing a nerve root next to a normal disc

Herniated Disc Treatments We Offer

Most patients improve without surgery, so care begins with the least invasive options and advances only as needed.

Non-surgical care

  • Activity modification. A gradual return to gentle movement rather than prolonged rest.
  • Physical therapy. Strengthens the muscles that support the spine.
  • Anti-inflammatory medication. Reduces pain and inflammation.
  • Epidural steroid injections. Image-guided, to calm the irritated nerve root.

Minimally invasive procedures

  • Endoscopic spine surgery. Removes the herniated fragment through a tiny incision.
  • Microdiscectomy. Minimally invasive decompression of the affected nerve.
  • Disc repair. Total Disc Revive and other ultra minimally invasive procedures.

Most procedures are performed same-day, on an outpatient basis. Your surgeon will recommend the least invasive option appropriate for your condition.

Our Professional Team

Dr. Brett Alan Schlifka is a board-certified neurosurgeon committed to providing advanced spine care to...
Dr. Scott Glickman brings over two decades of surgical expertise to Total Spine & Orthopedics....
Dr. Anthony Lombardo, a leading orthopedic surgeon in Melbourne, Florida, brings over 25 years of...
Joseph (Joe) Perry is an Orthopedic Physician's Assistant here at Total Spine and Orthopedics. He...
Dr. James S. Manzanares is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and fellowship-trained spine surgeon with more...
Dr. Gerald Molloy is a Board-Certified Neurosurgeon and proud veteran of the United States Air...
Aleksander “Dr. Peaches” Pecherek, D.O., provides expert interventional pain management and minimally invasive spine treatments....
Dr. Vanisaben Patel, DPM, is a board-certified podiatric surgeon who specializes in foot and ankle...

Visit Our Melbourne Office

Total Spine and Orthopedics, Melbourne

709 S Harbor City Blvd, Ste 110
Melbourne, FL 32901

Our Melbourne office is on US-1 (South Harbor City Boulevard), easy to reach from anywhere in Brevard County. Call (321) 499-4646 to schedule your visit for a herniated disc.

Convenient for patients from

Melbourne, West Melbourne, Palm Bay, Viera, Rockledge, Cocoa, Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, and the surrounding area.

Our other locations

  • Orlando (Lake Nona): 9145 Narcoossee Rd, Ste A200, Orlando, FL 32827
  • Titusville: 494 N Washington Ave, Titusville, FL 32796

What Can Cause A Herniated Disc?

Herniated discs usually develop from a combination of age-related wear and mechanical stress on the spine. Common contributing factors include:

Age-related disc degeneration

Discs lose hydration and elasticity over time, making the outer ring more prone to tearing.

Repetitive strain or heavy lifting

Frequent bending, twisting, or lifting can stress and weaken a disc over time.

Acute injury

A fall or motor vehicle collision can cause a disc to herniate suddenly.

Elevated body weight

Extra weight increases the mechanical load on the lumbar spine.

Smoking

Reduces the disc's blood supply and nutrition, which accelerates degeneration.

Genetic predisposition

A family history can make some people more prone to disc problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a herniated disc heal on its own?

Many herniated discs improve over several weeks to a few months as the displaced disc material resorbs and inflammation subsides, often with activity modification and physical therapy. If pain, numbness, or weakness persists beyond approximately 6 to 8 weeks or worsens, evaluation is recommended to rule out persistent nerve root compression.

What are the non-surgical treatment options for a herniated disc?

Initial management is typically conservative: physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, activity modification, and image-guided injections such as epidural steroid injections to reduce nerve root inflammation. At Total Spine and Orthopedics, surgery is considered only after appropriate conservative measures have been tried or when symptoms are severe.

When does a herniated disc require surgery?

Surgery is generally considered when radicular pain, numbness, or weakness does not improve after several weeks of conservative care, or when MRI demonstrates significant nerve compression. Progressive weakness, foot drop, or any loss of bladder or bowel control are urgent indications that warrant immediate evaluation.

What is endoscopic, ultra-minimally invasive herniated disc surgery?

Endoscopic discectomy removes the herniated disc fragment through a sub-centimeter incision (smaller than a dime), using a high-definition endoscope and specialized instruments rather than the extensive muscle dissection of open surgery. Total Spine and Orthopedics specializes in this technique, which preserves the surrounding muscle and soft tissue.

Is herniated disc surgery a same-day, outpatient procedure?

In most cases, yes. The majority of minimally invasive and endoscopic herniated disc procedures at Total Spine and Orthopedics are performed on a same-day basis, with patients discharged within hours rather than admitted overnight.

Where is your Melbourne office?

Our Melbourne office is at 709 S Harbor City Blvd, Ste 110, Melbourne, FL 32901. Our Melbourne office is on US-1 (South Harbor City Boulevard), easy to reach from anywhere in Brevard County. Call (321) 499-4646 to schedule.

How soon can I be seen for a herniated disc?

Our patient-first approach lets us get patients in and speaking with a doctor quickly, often the same week. Call (321) 499-4646 or fill out the form on this page.

Can you review my MRI before my visit?

Yes. If you already have an MRI, you can sign up for our free MRI review and our team will look at your imaging and help point you toward the right treatment.

Do you have other locations?

Yes. Besides Melbourne, we see patients in Orlando (Lake Nona) (9145 Narcoossee Rd, Ste A200, Orlando, FL 32827) and Titusville (494 N Washington Ave, Titusville, FL 32796).

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