Systems and methods for electrosurgical prevention of disc herniations

A method for inhibiting herniation and/or reherniation of a vertebral disc, the vertebral disc including an annulus fibrosus having a fissure therein, and a nucleus pulposus, the method comprising:

• positioning a distal end of a shaft of an electrosurgical probe into the disc, the probe having a plurality of electrodes coupled to a high frequency power supply, the plurality of electrodes comprising at least one active electrode and at least one return electrode, the active electrode being disposed towards the distal end of the shaft;
• positioning the at least one active electrode within a portion of the nucleus pulposus;
• contracting the portion of nucleus pulposus by applying a high frequency voltage between the at least one active electrode and the at least one return electrode within the portion of the nucleus pulposus, whereby the contraction coagulates the portion of the nucleus pulposus;
• and
• inserting an implant material between the contracted portion of the nucleus pulposus and the fissure in the annulus fibrosus, thereby improving stability of the disc and inhibiting migration of the nucleus pulposus through the fissure in the annulus fibrosus.

A method for treating a herniated vertebral disc, the vertebral disc comprising an annulus fibrosus having a fissure therein and a nucleus pulposus, the method comprising:

• positioning a distal end of a shaft of an electrosurgical probe into a herniated portion of the disc, the probe having a plurality of electrodes coupled to a high frequency power supply, the plurality of electrodes comprising at least one active electrode and at least one return electrode, the active electrode being disposed towards the distal end of the shaft;
• positioning the at least one active electrode within the herniated portion of the nucleus pulposus;
• contracting the nucleus pulposus .by applying a high frequency voltage between the at least one active electrode and the at least one return electrode, whereby the contraction relieves the herniation and creates a space between the nucleus and annulus;
• and
• inserting an implant material between the nucleus and the fissure, thereby improving stability of the disc and inhibiting migration of the nucleus pulposus through the fissure.