Gregory Gasbarro, M.D., is a Fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon at The Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand Center at Mercy in Baltimore, Maryland.
Mercy’s team of breast surgeons and breast cancer specialists in Baltimore help women determine the best breast cancer treatment options available to them.
The Minimally Invasive Brain and Spine Center at Mercy is a leading neurosurgical center offering state-of-the-art technologies and clinical expertise to provide advanced treatment options.
Mercy offers emergency care on the Downtown Baltimore campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (410-332-9477) with access to a trained emergency medicine team, diagnostic services and consultations with specialists.
In case of an Emergency, Dial 911 and follow the instructions of the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) team.
Mercy Medical Center's downtown campus includes our Main Hospital - The Mary Catherine Bunting Center, McAuley Plaza and The Weinberg Center.
General visiting hours at Mercy are 11:00 am to 8:30 pm. Hours vary by floor, please check with the nursing staff or call 410-332-9555.
Cervical Disc Injury
Lumbar Disc Injuries and Treatment
The expert spine specialists at The Maryland Spine Center at Mercy in Baltimore provide some treatment options for complex and common spine disorders, including disc herniation and degenerative disc disease.
(Disc herniation - also spelled - disk herniation. For the purposes of this website Mercy Medical Center will use the spelling disc.)
Disc herniation, also known as disk herniation or disc rupture, usually is a result of disc degeneration. It occurs when the central disc (annulus) tears allowing some of the central disc material to squeeze through the tear into the spinal canal. Disc herniation most commonly happens:
Sometimes a disc herniation, or rupture, can occur without any symptoms. Other times, disc herniation can cause pain in the low back or base of the neck. Common symptoms of a disc herniation include:
Disc herniation can be diagnosed with a physical exam. Sometimes an X-ray, CT scan or MRI may be taken to see which nerves may be affected or if the condition is more than a herniated disc.
Most patients with a herniated disc require only anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxation medications combined with a cervical collar for neck disc ruptures and restricted activity for lumbar disc ruptures. When pain is intolerable or does not steadily decline over the first few weeks, more potent anti-inflammatory medications or injections may be needed.
Surgery is needed only when:
Surgery to remove the herniated disc fragment and relieve pressure against a nerve has a very high rate of success. Our spine surgeons at The Maryland Spine Center use the smallest incision possible to completely remove the disc fragment. Most patients are able to go home the same day as surgery.
Michele had trouble walking the stairs due to pain from a herniated disc. Minimally invasive surgery helped eliminate her pain.
A patient travels to Baltimore from Maryland's Eastern Shore to have surgery performed by an expert spine surgeon who she considers "worth the drive".
Yolanda, a hard-working entrepreneur, tackles two separate health issues with the assistance of Mercy surgeons.
Dr. Mara Vucich is a physiatrist, or doctor of physical and rehabilitative medicine, who treats patients with spine conditions including arthritis, spinal stenosis, degeneration of the spine, back and neck strains and disc herniations.