A method of positioning an arcuate catheter against an inner annular wall of the disc, and particularly on the posterior and postero-lateral portions of the inner annulus of the disc, by anthroscopy is presented. The arcuate catheter retains its predetermined arcuate shape when no pressure or force is applied to the catheter. This present device and method require no forward tip pressure on the inner annular wall of a mammalian intervertebral disc. An arcuate sheath having a cutter is used to remove tissue from the inner annulus of the disc. In another embodiment an arcuate sheath is used to progressively remove material from the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc. In yet another embodiment, an arcuate sheath and catheter are used to remove the entire intervertebral disc and place supports to maintain a disc space.