When pursuing care for a painful spine condition, most patients want the assurance that they will receive the best available treatment. Both lumbar microdiscectomy and endoscopic discectomy are proven procedures to treat lumbar disc herniation. Differences in their methodologies, however, result in changes in the expected recovery time and outcome. NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute, with locations near you in New Jersey, discusses both spine surgeries so you can find out which is best for you.
Key Takeaways
- Lumbar disc herniation occurs when a spinal disc’s nucleus leaks through a tear in the disc wall, irritating nearby tissues and impinging on the spinal cord.
- Lumbar microdiscectomy is the standard treatment for lumbar disc herniation. It is a minimally invasive surgery to remove the offending spinal disc.
- Endoscopic discectomy is an ultra-minimally invasive variant of microdiscectomy that uses advanced technology to perform the procedure through a smaller incision.
- Dr. Branko Skovrlj at NU-Spine specializes in minimally invasive treatments, which offer less risk, faster recovery times, and more reliable outcomes than invasive surgeries.
What Are Spinal Discs?
Spinal discs are the spine’s shock absorbers. Each one is constructed like a jelly donut with an exterior of rubbery tissue (annulus fibrosus) and a soft, gel-filled core (nucleus pulposus). Spinal discs are located between each pair of vertebrae, where they cushion the bones and enable smooth, frictionless movement.
What Is a Lumbar Herniated Disc?
A lumbar herniated disc is an injury to a spinal disc in the lumbar spine, or lower back. The injury weakens the annulus, creating a tear where the nucleus can push outward. The leaking nucleus creates pressure against the spinal cord, causing neurological symptoms such as:
- Lower back pain
- Pain that travels into the buttocks, legs, and feet
- Numbness or tingling in the buttocks, legs, and feet
- Loss of strength or muscle control in the legs
- Difficulty walking
- Loss of urinary or bowel control
Because spinal discs receive a poor blood supply, they do not heal well. Therefore, disc herniations do not get better on their own. In fact, they are more likely to get worse over time, potentially causing spinal cord damage. Medical treatment is the only way to relieve pain from a herniated disc.
What Is Lumbar Microdiscectomy?
Lumbar microdiscectomy has long been considered the gold standard for lumbar herniated disc treatment. This procedure is a less-invasive form of the standard lumbar discectomy, allowing for less tissue disruption for a safer treatment and faster recovery. The goal of the back surgery is to remove all or most of the herniated disc to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Microdiscectomy is performed under general anesthesia and follows these steps:
- The surgeon makes a one- to two-inch incision on the patient’s back.
- Using a dilator, the surgeon gently pulls muscles and soft tissue aside to expose the problematic disc with minimal cutting.
- The surgeon removes bone from the back section of the vertebra to access the disc.
- The offending spinal disc is carefully cut away and removed.
- If necessary, a spinal fusion or disc replacement is performed to stabilize the spine.
- The surgeon closes the incision.
Most patients feel relief immediately after a microdiscectomy. The incision site heals within a week or two, allowing patients to resume light activities. Full recovery takes six weeks or longer, depending on whether a spinal fusion was required.
What Is Lumbar Endoscopic Discectomy?
Lumbar endoscopic discectomy represents the latest advancement in herniated disc surgery. The goal and process are largely the same: to remove a problematic spinal disc. This variation of the procedure, however, uses a camera mounted on a slender tube. This tool, called an endoscope, provides a video feed that allows surgeons to see themselves work without fully exposing the spine. Surgeons use a much smaller incision for several benefits, including:
- Less post-surgical pain
- Lower risk of nerve damage
- Lower risk of infection
- Less scarring
- Faster recovery and results
While endoscopic discectomy offers superior outcomes to lumbar microdiscectomy, it is not offered by all physicians. Many surgeons are not experienced with endoscopic techniques and continue to use the more traditional method. This is why a patient’s choice of surgeon is so important. Dr. Branko Skovrlj at NU-Spine specializes in minimally invasive treatments, such as endoscopic discectomy, helping patients achieve the best possible outcomes with minimal risk.
Find Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Near You in New Jersey
Transform your life with a touch of care at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute, which provides cutting-edge spinal treatments. Don’t wait for relief. Contact us today to learn more about lumbar microdiscectomy and endoscopic discectomy surgeries or to schedule an appointment at one of our locations near you in New Jersey.