Dr. Max Greig offers state-of-the-art herniated disc surgery to alleviate pain and restore function. Utilizing the latest surgical techniques and personalized care plans, Dr. Greig ensures optimal outcomes for his patients.
Dr. Max has the experience to help you regain your quality of life.
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The spine is composed of vertebrae separated by cushion-like discs that absorb shock and allow movement. When one of these discs becomes damaged — due to age, injury, or degeneration — its inner gel-like center can bulge or rupture, pressing on nearby nerves.
This condition is known as a herniated (or slipped) disk, and it most often affects the lower back (lumbar spine) or neck (cervical spine), causing symptoms such as: Sciatic pain that radiates down the leg, numbness or tingling in arms or legs, muscle weakness, loss of mobility or balance.
If non-surgical treatments like physical therapy, medication, or injections fail to provide lasting relief, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Dr. Max was born to a Canadian father and an American mother, making him a true embodiment of Medical Travel as he embraces and feels at home in all three cultures. His extensive experience as a delegate to both the US and Canadian consular agencies has solidified his reputation as the #1 expat provider. Today, 95% of his practice is dedicated to supporting local expats and international medical travelers.
A fraction of the US and Canadian Cost.
Our average employee tenure is 15+ years.
We use the latest technology and surgical techniques.
We treat you like a member of our family.
Dr. Max conducts a thorough diagnostic process using MRI and physical assessments to confirm the diagnosis and determine the best surgical approach. Patients are encouraged to ask questions and fully understand the procedure, risks, and expected outcomes.
Most herniated disk surgeries are performed under general anesthesia. The procedure typically lasts 1 to 2 hours. Thanks to Dr. Max’s minimally invasive techniques, patients often experience less blood loss, lower complication rates, and quicker recovery times.
Hospital Stay: Most patients stay 1 night or are discharged the same day.
Initial Recovery: Expect to walk within hours of surgery. Light activity can resume within a few days.
Back to Normal: Most patients return to work or normal life in 2–6 weeks, depending on their job and overall health.
Full Recovery: Healing continues for several months. Physical therapy may be recommended to strengthen muscles and restore flexibility.
Dr. Max and his team offer personalized follow-up care both in person and via virtual consultations, especially for international patients traveling for surgery.
Enjoy substantial savings on medical procedures compared to the USA, making top-tier care surprisingly affordable.
Experience fast access to treatment with significantly shorter wait times than in Canada, getting you back on your feet faster.
Smooth and efficient process, free from the headaches of insurance claims and bureaucratic red tape that get in the way of helping you feel better - faster.
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"Dr. Max and his team were Awesome! Dr. Max was very personal, professional, and genuinely caring. He took all the time necessary to explain my procedure and everything that was involved. Great experience!"
"I had no fears of what they were going to do. They have been very interested in my recovery. The therapy I received was complete. I just continued doing them at home. Didn’t need to get additional therapy."
"Dr. Max is very confident at what he does and very personal which helps with any anxiety problems. I will recommend him to friends!"
Enjoy substantial savings on medical procedures compared to the USA, making top-tier care surprisingly affordable.
Experience fast access to treatment with significantly shorter wait times than in Canada, getting you back on your feet faster.
Smooth and efficient process, free from the headaches of insurance claims and bureaucratic red tape that get in the way of helping you feel better - faster.
While many people with a herniated disk can find relief through conservative treatments like physical therapy, medications, or epidural injections, surgery becomes a viable — and often necessary — option when symptoms persist or worsen.
You’ve experienced chronic back or leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness for more than 6 to 12 weeks, and these symptoms haven’t improved with non-surgical treatments.
Your MRI or CT scan shows a clearly herniated disk pressing on a spinal nerve, correlating with your symptoms.
You’re experiencing progressive weakness, loss of coordination, or bladder/bowel dysfunction — signs of nerve damage that may require urgent surgical intervention to prevent permanent impairment.
The herniated disk is interfering with your daily life — such as your ability to walk, work, sleep, or perform regular activities — and conservative care hasn’t restored your mobility or comfort.
Enjoy substantial savings on medical procedures compared to the USA, making top-tier care surprisingly affordable.
Experience quick access to treatment with significantly shorter wait times than in Canada, helping you recover and get back on your feet faster.
Experience a smooth and efficient process, free from the headaches of insurance claims and bureaucratic red tape that can delay your recovery and hinder your well-being.
Speak with our nurse coordinator who can guide you through how we support international patients and answer any questions you may have.
You'll meet with Dr. Max, who will review your medical records, provide a clear quote, and outline a personalized plan to help you feel your best again.
Come to our beautiful city of Puerto Vallarta, meet our incredible staff, and start feeling better sooner than you think!
Learn more about herniated disk surgery in Mexico.
A herniated (slipped) disc occurs when the soft nucleus pulposus pushes through the annulus fibrosus, compressing nearby nerve roots and causing radicular pain, numbness, or weakness. Surgery is considered when symptoms (leg or arm pain, sensory changes, motor deficits) persist despite 6–12 weeks of conservative care—physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, and medications—or if you develop worsening neurologic signs such as progressive weakness or loss of bladder/bowel control.
Ideal candidates have MRI-confirmed disc herniation correlating perfectly with their clinical presentation, have exhausted non-surgical treatments, and demonstrate significant functional limitation (difficulty walking, standing, or performing daily tasks). Patients should be in overall good health; controlled chronic conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes) are acceptable with proper perioperative management. A thorough pre-op consultation assesses your medical history, lifestyle factors (smoking, activity level), and support system to ensure optimal readiness.
You’ll need high-resolution MRI of the cervical or lumbar spine to localize the herniation and assess nerve-root impingement, plus standing X-rays for alignment. Standard labs include a CBC, metabolic panel, coagulation profile, and nutritional markers (albumin, vitamin D) to gauge healing potential. Patients over 65 or with cardiac history undergo EKG and echocardiogram for cardiac clearance. All results are reviewed during a dedicated pre-op clinic visit to finalize the surgical plan.
In addition to high-resolution T2-weighted MRI, Dr. Greig employs CT-MRI fusion overlays to assess bony spurs, and dynamic flexion-extension X-rays to rule out occult instability. For complex central or paracentral fragments, he uses intraoperative O-arm navigation—providing real-time 3D feedback—to pinpoint fragment borders and optimize bone preservation.
Under general anesthesia and sterile conditions, a 1–1.5 cm midline or paramedian incision is made. Muscle fibers are gently dilated with tubular retractors or an endoscope introduced via Kambin’s triangle. Under microscopic or endoscopic visualization, the annulus is incised and nucleus pulposus fragments are precisely removed. The root and dural sac are inspected to confirm full decompression before multilayer closure with absorbable sutures.
Dr. Greig employs hypotensive anesthesia to reduce bleeding, ultrasonic bone scalpels for precise lamina removal, and hemostatic agents (e.g., bone wax, fibrin sealant) at key bleeding points. Muscle-sparing dilators or an endoscopic sheath preserve fascial planes, while continuous irrigation during endoscopic cases clears debris and cools tissues, lowering postoperative inflammation.
Following Enhanced Recovery After Surgery guidelines, patients receive an elastomeric local-anesthetic infusion pump for 72 hours, combined with scheduled acetaminophen/NSAIDs and minimal opioids. Within 6–12 hours, physical therapists guide bedside sitting and ambulation to reduce thromboembolic risk. Wound dressings are waterproof, and discharge criteria include pain control on oral meds, independent ambulation, and stable vitals.
You’ll have a telemedicine check at 1 week, an in-person visit at 6–8 weeks with standing X-rays to verify decompression, then quarterly virtual visits during the first year to monitor Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores. Annual flexion-extension imaging screens for late instability. Dr. Greig’s registry tracks patient-reported outcomes to fine-tune protocols.
Dr. Greig prescribes a “Spine Wellness” plan: ergonomic workstation setup (lumbar support, proper monitor height), micro-breaks every 30 minutes to stretch, and a home exercise routine combining McKenzie extensions, yoga-inspired flexibility, and resistance-band core work. Weight management, smoking avoidance, and periodic ergonomic audits sustain long-term benefits and reduce recurrence risk.
