Microdiscectomy surgery may be performed after conservative treatments have not alleviated the patient’s painful symptoms. Microdiscectomy surgery involves removing a protruding or herniated disc and decompressing the lumbar nerves to relieve the pressure on the nerve roots. Microdiscectomy spine surgery decreases neural impingement and creates space, allowing the nerve to recover.
This fast, safe and effective spine surgery involves the use of microsurgical techniques (minimally invasive surgical techniques) to gain access to the lumbar spine – the surgical incision is typically about 2.5 cms long. Minimally invasive surgical technique refers to minimal damage to normal tissue. Only a small portion of the herniated disc that compresses the spinal needs to be removed. Microdiscectomy refers to the use of magnification for discectomy surgery. This allows minimal damage to soft tissues and muscles. Following microdiscectomy surgery, patients will be discharged home either on the same day or the following day (this may vary depending on each specific case).
A microdiscectomy is performed to alleviate the following painful conditions:
- Sciatica – pain radiating down the back or side of the leg
- Herniated disc pain
- Weakness and/or numbness in the legs and/or feet
- Severe weakness due to chronic pain
- Debilitating leg pain
- Severe Femoratica (pain down the front of the thigh)
- Bowel or bladder incontinence
The results of microdiscectomy surgery have a relatively high success rate and compared to other spinal surgeries the postoperative healing time is much faster. Many patients will be back at work within a few days to a week. Moreover, this spinal surgery has a low complication rate.
Benefits of microdiscectomy surgery include:
- Quick procedure
- Minimal muscle and soft tissue disruption
- Short recovery time
- Minimal postoperative pain and discomfort
- Fewer risks of complications