| A discectomy is an invasive surgical procedure | | | | removed to allow the surgeon better access to |
| that removes herniated disc material that is | | | | the disc. This procedure is called a laminectomy. |
| protruding into the spinal canal and pressing upon | | | | Once the herniated disc fragments have been |
| nerve tissue. This pressure can cause numbness, | | | | removed, the muscle tissue is put back and the |
| weakness, tingling, or mild to severe pain in the | | | | surgical incision is closed with sutures. |
| back and leg. | | | | Microdiscectomy Alternative |
| Discectomy surgery is a common treatment for | | | | A newer, less invasive form of discectomy is also |
| herniated or ruptured discs of the lumbar spine | | | | now available. This procedure is called a |
| and may be used for back pain sufferers who | | | | microdiscectomy and uses special magnifying and |
| have not responded to traditional non-surgical | | | | muscle-spreading instruments to allow the surgeon |
| treatments such as anti-inflammatory medication, | | | | to view and operate on the herniated disc region. |
| physical therapy, traction, spinal decompression, | | | | The surgeon can then perform the procedure |
| and epidural steroid injections. | | | | through a smaller incision and cause less damage |
| Herniated Discs | | | | to the surrounding muscle and tissue. |
| Here is a simplified explanation of what happens | | | | As a result, the patient can experience less pain |
| with a ruptured or herniated disc. The disc itself is | | | | and a quicker recovery. Not all patients are able |
| kind of like a soft jelly-filled donut. The outer wall | | | | undergo discectomies or microdiscectomies. A lot |
| of the disc is called the annulus fibrosus and the | | | | has to do with the particular nature of the |
| inner part of the disc -- the jelly part -- is called | | | | patient's herniated disc. |
| the nucleus pulposus. When the outer part of the | | | | Before being considered for either type of |
| disc becomes weakened, it can tear and allow | | | | surgery, the doctor will typically have an imaging |
| some of the inner nucleus pulposus to leak out. | | | | study performed such as an MRI (magnetic |
| When this inner jelly presses on the surrounding | | | | resonance imaging) or a CT (computed |
| nerve tissue it can weakness, tingling and pain in | | | | tomography) scan in order to help diagnose the |
| the back and legs. | | | | specific cause of the problem. Discectomy and |
| What Happens In A Discectomy? | | | | microdiscectomy procedures are normally done in |
| In a traditional discectomy -- often referred to as | | | | a hospital under general anesthesia. In some cases |
| an open discectomy -- an incision is made in the | | | | discectomy can be performed in an outpatient |
| patient's back over the herniated disc region. | | | | surgical center. |
| Muscle tissue around the herniated disc is | | | | This article is not meant to replace the advice of |
| removed and a retractor may be used to keep | | | | your personal health care provider. Be sure to |
| the muscle tissue and skin out of the way which | | | | consult with your physician to explore all your |
| gives the surgeon better access to the surgical | | | | back pain treatment options before taking any |
| area. In some cases, some of the vertebrae | | | | medical course of action. |
| bone -- called the lamina -- may need to be | | | | |