Microdiscectomy
Microdiscectomy is a procedure performed on patients with a herniated lumbar disc. It is minimally invasive and also known as microdiscectomy or micro decompression. The surgeons remove the herniated disc to eliminate the pain caused by the pressure on the spinal nerve column.
How is microdiscectomy surgery performed?
The surgery aims at removing the damaged disc components putting pressure on the nerves. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and you will be unconscious during surgery. You will be lying down during the procedure while the incision will be made over the affected disc while a lighted microscope guides the surgeon to see the affected area.
The surgeon may remove a small part of the protective bone of the root. The surgeon then removes the damaged herniated tissue with scissor-like equipment to relieve the pressure on the nerve.
Then they will close the incision with sutures, and if there is no complication, patients are typically discharged on the same day or the morning after surgery. After the surgery, the spinal nerve gets the desired space in the spinal column and stops the nerve’s pinching-like pain.
The recovery period following microdiscectomy
The recovery time of the microdiscectomy procedure is generally shorter than other procedures, and, commonly, you may leave the hospital the same day. However, in some cases, the doctor recommends an overnight stay. Your orthopedic surgeon will recommend physical therapy and recommend the exercises that you should follow.
Your surgeon will provide you guidance on how you can avoid the recurrence of the conditions by guiding you on how to stop bending, lifting heavy objects, and twisting your back in angles that could be detrimental to your back lumbar discs.
Post Microdiscectomy, your orthopedic surgeon could advise you against activities like driving, lifting heavy objects, prolonged periods of sitting and bending forward until after a certain period following surgery has passed.
Your surgeon may recommend you not resume your regular work duties during the first two weeks after surgery if it involves lifting heavy objects. Patients should take it easy for about a month after Microdiscectomy surgery to speed up healing.
Ceda Orthopedic Group recommends resuming your normal activities or hobbies that involve physical activities with the permission of your orthopedic. To speak with an Orthopedic professional about the Microdiscectomy procedure, contact us at Ceda Orthopedic Group today.
What is the risk involved in the microdiscectomy procedure?
Risks and complications in the microdiscectomy procedure are rare; however, specific medical procedures could lead to unavoidable circumstances, and most patients should not suffer any of the following complications after Microdiscectomy surgery:
- Damage to the nerve root
- Although very rare, you may have bowel or bladder incontinence
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Dural tear, otherwise known as a cerebrospinal fluid leak, is rare and reported in 1 out of 7 surgeries performed.
Following a Microdiscectomy surgery, the results of curing a painful, herniated disc are generally exceptional. According to USC Spine Studies, 90-96% of patients demonstrate good or excellent results from microdiscectomy surgery. Many patients from the study reported a rapid improvement in their back pain, and they were able to return to normal activities later.
Do you need microdiscectomy surgery? Ask a specialist at Ceda Orthopedic Group
If you think your back could benefit from a minimally invasive microdiscectomy surgery, here is a quick breakdown of common symptoms microdiscectomy patients suffer from:
- Back pain that is too much, negatively affecting your daily activities.
- You’ve lost partial or complete control over your bladder or bowels.
- Unable to walk or stand due to back pain.
- Numbness or weakness caused by the herniated vertebrae disc putting pressure on your nerves.
Microdiscectomy surgery, also called Microlumbar Discectomy (MLD), is very common, and with today’s technologies, surgeons can use microscopic surgical instruments to allow for more rapid recovery.
How Ceda Orthopedic Group can help with your microdiscectomy procedure?
At Ceda Orthopedic Group, one of our orthopedic surgeons will diagnose your condition, and if surgery isn’t necessary, they will recommend medication to ease the pressure or physical therapy. After a specific period and no sign of improvement, your orthopedic doctor would recommend the Microdiscectomy procedure and perform the surgery. They will also guide you through healing until you can resume your regular duties.
Though sometimes, based on your work, lifestyle, or medical condition, a herniated disc is unavoidable, your orthopedic will advise you on how to change your lifestyle to avoid the recurrence of the problem.
Contact Ceda Orthopedic Group to book an appointment with one of our medical physicians to help with your back pain.
