Surgeons perform discectomy, or surgical decompression, to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves caused by a ruptured or injured intervertebral disk. This condition may cause pain in some parts of the body or general body weakness. Doctors might recommend disc surgery for patients suffering from conditions such as sciatica or degenerative disc disease. Here are some of the details about this procedure:
Indications for Discectomy
Surgical decompression is performed on a herniated disc that is causing severe pain or actual neurological signs and symptoms. Patients may experience radiating pain down the legs (sciatica), numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness. Other signs are spinal stenosis, which is the narrowing of the spinal canal, and disc degeneration, which causes disc bulging. When treatments such as physical therapy fail to provide relief, disc surgery may be recommended as a definitive solution.
Types of Discectomy
Different types of discectomy are available, and based on the approach used for the surgery, the two known are open discectomy and microdiscectomy. An open discectomy involves making a larger incision to access the spine directly, allowing the surgeon to remove the damaged disc material. Replacing the disc also protects the degeneration of the spinal segments below and above the impacted area.
A microdiscectomy is a microsurgical procedure where the surgeon uses small incisions and smaller-scale surgeon tools. One of the advantages of minimally invasive procedures is that they cause less trauma as compared to some traditional procedures. Other benefits from a microdiscectomy could include normal spine movement, reduced blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, minimal scarring, and less pain after surgery. The choice of the techniques depends on the details of the case and the specialty of the particular doctor involved.
The Discectomy Procedure
Doctors perform surgical decompression to treat herniated discs before the patient’s discomfort or symptoms worsen. The surgeon makes an incision in the back or neck, depending on the location of the affected disc. For an open discectomy, the surgeon carefully moves the muscles and tissues aside to access the spine. In a microdiscectomy, a small tube is inserted to minimize tissue disruption. After accessing the disc, the surgeon removes the herniated portion that is pressing on the spinal nerves. After the removal, the incision is closed, and the patient is moved to recovery.
Recovery Process
Recovery from surgical spinal decompression varies from patient to patient, but several general guidelines can be expected. Doctors advise patients to start walking soon after surgery to improve circulation and support healing. When in recovery, pain management is helpful, and during this time, a doctor may administer a drug for discomfort from the surgery. Physical therapy is recommended to strengthen the back muscles and improve flexibility. Most patients notice the improvement of their condition in weeks, but it may take months before they are completely healed. It is helpful for patients to follow their surgeon’s post-operative instructions closely to make a successful recovery.
Explore Disc Surgery
Discectomy is a recommended surgery treatment for those individuals experiencing neurological signs and symptoms attributed to herniated discs. Knowledge of the procedure will assist the patients in making decisions regarding their treatment. Schedule an appointment with a spine specialist to get more information about their treatment plans.