Microdiscectomy
Microdiscectomy also called microdecompression spine surgery is performed for us removing small portion of bone over nerve root and/or disc material from under nerve root so as to relieve neural impingement as well as provide more room for nerves to heal. The microdiscectomy process is typically performed for herniated lumbar disc and is more effective for meeting the treatment needs of leg pain than lower back pain.
How Microdiscectomy Surgery Is Performed
Microdiscectomy is performed using small (1 inch to 1 1/2 inch) incision in midline of low back. The process includes lifting back muscles (erector spinae) off the bony arch (lamina) of spine that allows surgeon to enter spine by removing membrane over nerve roots (ligamentum flavum). The surgeon often removes small portion of inside facet joint to facilitate access to nerve root as well as to relieve pressure over nerve which is then gently moved to side and disc material is removed from under nerve root.
Indications - Microdiscectomy Surgery
The microdiscectomy process does not change mechanical structure of patient's lumbar spine. The surgery is an option for providing relieving pressure on nerve root as well as speedup up the healing process.
Microdiscectomy is recommended for patients who:
· Experience leg pain for at least six weeks
· Have not got sufficient pain relief with conservative treatment including physical therapy
Surgery -
Normally microdiscectomy is performed by us on outpatient basis (with no overnight stay in hospital) or with one overnight in hospital with possibility of patients returning to normal level of daily activities quickly. Some of the body restrictions surgeons put post surgery for first six weeks includes:
· Bending
· Lifting
· Twisting
However, as patient's back is mechanically same, patients can return to reasonable body movements (as advised by the surgeon) immediately following spine surgery.
Risks and Complications -
As with any other form of spine surgery, there are risks and complications associated with microdiscectomy procedure. These include:
· Nerve root damage
· Dural tear (cerebrospinal fluid leak)
· Bowel/bladder incontinence
· Bleeding
· Infection
However, the above listed complications are very rare in microdiscectomy spine surgery.
Microdiscectomy also called microdecompression spine surgery is performed for us removing small portion of bone over nerve root and/or disc material from under nerve root so as to relieve neural impingement as well as provide more room for nerves to heal. The microdiscectomy process is typically performed for herniated lumbar disc and is more effective for meeting the treatment needs of leg pain than lower back pain.
How Microdiscectomy Surgery Is Performed
Microdiscectomy is performed using small (1 inch to 1 1/2 inch) incision in midline of low back. The process includes lifting back muscles (erector spinae) off the bony arch (lamina) of spine that allows surgeon to enter spine by removing membrane over nerve roots (ligamentum flavum). The surgeon often removes small portion of inside facet joint to facilitate access to nerve root as well as to relieve pressure over nerve which is then gently moved to side and disc material is removed from under nerve root.
Indications - Microdiscectomy Surgery
The microdiscectomy process does not change mechanical structure of patient's lumbar spine. The surgery is an option for providing relieving pressure on nerve root as well as speedup up the healing process.
Microdiscectomy is recommended for patients who:
· Experience leg pain for at least six weeks
· Have not got sufficient pain relief with conservative treatment including physical therapy
Surgery -
Normally microdiscectomy is performed by us on outpatient basis (with no overnight stay in hospital) or with one overnight in hospital with possibility of patients returning to normal level of daily activities quickly. Some of the body restrictions surgeons put post surgery for first six weeks includes:
· Bending
· Lifting
· Twisting
However, as patient's back is mechanically same, patients can return to reasonable body movements (as advised by the surgeon) immediately following spine surgery.
Risks and Complications -
As with any other form of spine surgery, there are risks and complications associated with microdiscectomy procedure. These include:
· Nerve root damage
· Dural tear (cerebrospinal fluid leak)
· Bowel/bladder incontinence
· Bleeding
· Infection
However, the above listed complications are very rare in microdiscectomy spine surgery.