A respected presence in the neurosurgery field, Dr. Donald R. DeFeo was an early adopter of microsurgical discectomy, a now-standard spinal surgery technique. This minimally invasive approach used by Dr. Donald R. DeFeo and others treats ruptured spinal discs while avoiding having to cut back the muscle over the spine when repairing the affected area.

1. The Spine and Its Vulnerability
to Disc Rupture and Herniation
Don Defeo MD

2. Introduction
• A respected presence in the neurosurgery field, Dr. Donald R.
DeFeo was an early adopter of microsurgical discectomy, a
now-standard spinal surgery technique. This minimally
invasive approach used by Dr. Donald R. DeFeo and others
treats ruptured spinal discs while avoiding having to cut back
the muscle over the spine when repairing the affected area.
Also known as a herniated disc, the rupture of a spinal disc
involves damage to one of the cushioning intervertebral discs
that absorb the daily impact endured by the 33 vertebrae in
the spine. These discs are composed of the annulus fibrosus, a
durable outer shell, and a jelly-like inner nucleus pulposus.
When the intervertebral disc is compromised, the inner gel
can push through areas of the outer shell that have weakened.

3. The Spine
• This process often occurs in stages. One early
indication of disc damage is pain from a slight
protrusion or bulge that presses against the
spinal nerves; in addition to causing pain, this
can indicate an imminent rupture of the disc.
Spinal disc rupture is particularly linked to
sports injuries, vehicle accidents, and lifting
heavy objects without proper support.
Treatments for herniated back range from
massage and injections to pain medications and
surgical repair.