Microdiscectomy- Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Spinal Surgery

Microdiscectomy is a type of surgery for patients with herniated lumbar disc. It is also sometimes called microdecompression or microdiskectomy.

A microdiscectomy may help you recover faster than a spinal surgery, which causes large incisions, long recovery periods, and painful rehabilitation.

Some areas of your herniated disc will be removed to get rid of the pain and pressure on your spinal cord.

WHY IS MICRODISCECTOMY REQUIRED?

Microdiscectomy is recommended for patients with disc herniation to help lessen sciatica pain. It is 95% effective for this indication, according to some experts.

Sciatica is a painful condition brought about by pressure on the spinal cord. This pressure is frequently the after-effect of a herniated lumbar disc.

Most instances of sciatica will heal normally without procedures in six months. If pain from sciatica lasts over 12 weeks, you may benefit from a microdiscectomy. However, this procedure is not very effective in soothing back pain due to other causes.

WHICH DOCTOR TO CONSULT

Talk to a neurosurgeon, who will explain to you about the procedure, the risks and after-care.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING MICRODISCECTOMY

General anaesthesia will be administered in this procedure.

Your surgeon will do a 1- to 1 1/2-inch incision over the affected disc. The doctor will be able to see the affected area through a lighted microscope. To protect the nerve root, a little part of the bone will be removed. A scissor-like tool will be used to remove the damaged herniated tissue. A suture will help close the incision.

POST-OPERATIVE CARE

The patient will be discharged after the procedure or after a day. To reduce the risks associated with bending, lifting, and twisting, seek help from a physical therapist before discharge.

Heavy lifting and strenuous activities should be avoided for a week or two.

COMPLICATIONS

Complications after the surgery are rare.

However, like any surgery, there are some risks. These include:

• Dural tear in 1 to 2 percent of medical procedures
• Nerve root damage
• Recurrent disc herniation (5 percent of cases)
• Bowel/bladder incontinence (extremely uncommon)
• Bleeding
• Infection

To read about Microdiscectomy as one of the treatment options for Herniated Disc, please click here.

Reference

• 1. Microdisectomy: Benefits, Procedure, and Recovery. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/microdiscectomy. Published 2019. Accessed January 25, 2019.
• 2. Eric Elowitz M. Microdiscectomy (Microdecompression) Spine Surgery. Spine-health. https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/back-surgery/microdiscectomy-microdecompression-spine-surgery. Published 2019. Accessed January 25, 2019.

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