Understanding Spine Structure
The strength and flexibility of the spine depend on its structure. The spine is composed of several interlocking bones, called vertebrae, which work together as a single unit that can bend and twist. Separating each pair of vertebrae are spinal discs. These are tough pads of tissue with soft, jelly-filled cores that prevent friction between vertebrae, letting the spine flex smoothly. They also absorb shock to protect the spinal bones against impact.
Spinal discs are resilient. However, they are still susceptible to damage, especially after a lifetime of wear. If the tough exterior ring cracks or tears, the soft gel center may leak into the spinal canal, where it creates pressure on the spinal cord. This condition is known as a lumbar herniated disc or lumbar slipped disc. It may cause the following symptoms:
- Chronic back pain
- Pain that travels through the legs and into the feet
- Numbness or tingling in the legs and feet
- Difficulty standing or walking
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
What Is Lumbar Microdiscectomy?
Lumbar microdiscectomy is a surgical procedure to treat disc herniation in the lower back. Like a lumbar discectomy, the goal of surgery is to remove the damaged disc before stabilizing the spine. With a microdiscectomy, however, only part of the disc is removed. This eliminates nerve pain while reducing the impact on the spine, allowing for an easier recovery.
How Does Lumbar Microdiscectomy Work?
Most pain from lumbar disc herniation will get better after a period of rest and physical therapy. For this reason, physicians often prefer to wait before attempting surgery. If the pain is severe, however, or if it does not go away after conservative treatments, then lumbar microdiscectomy may be considered.
Lumbar microdiscectomy is most often performed under general anesthesia, meaning that the patient is asleep while the surgeon is at work. The procedure follows these steps:
- The surgeon makes a tiny incision on the patient’s lower back over the target disc.
- Using special tools called dilators, the surgeon pulls back muscles aside to expose the spine. This lets him access the problematic disc without extra cutting.
- An endoscope, or a tiny camera mounted on a flexible tube, is inserted into the channel created by the dilators. This camera provides a video feed to guide the surgeon’s tools.
- The surgeon uses precise tools to cut away and remove the part of the spinal disc that impinges on the spine, leaving the rest of the disc in place.
- The surgeon closes the incision with sutures (stitches) and protects it with a dressing.
Most patients only need a microdiscectomy. In some cases, however, the surgeon must remove a large amount of the spinal disc. In these situations, a lumbar spinal fusion may be necessary to stabilize the vertebrae. This procedure uses implants and bone grafts to fuse two or more vertebrae together, eliminating movement between them.
After the procedure is complete, the patient moves to a recovery room until they wake up from anesthesia. Most patients can go home the same day as their treatment. Others may need to spend a night at the hospital, especially if a spinal fusion was performed.
Is Lumbar Microdiscectomy Always Successful?
Every surgical procedure comes with risks. Lumbar microdiscectomy has been proven reliable, however, and over 80% of patients report long-term satisfaction. The chance of complications is only 10%, and the chance of failure within 10 years is similarly low.
Patients can improve these chances further by choosing a reliable surgeon. The resident neurosurgeon at NU-Spine is Dr. Branko Skovrlj. He is an award-winning neurosurgeon who focuses exclusively on spine treatments, with special expertise in minimally invasive procedures. His extensive experience and cutting-edge techniques promote the best outcomes for his patients.
Ensuring a Successful Recovery
Patients can also enhance their results by following recovery instructions. Recovery after surgery can be sensitive, with a high risk of infection. To avoid complications, it is important to follow instructions for:
- Changing surgical dressings
- Keeping the incision site covered while bathing
- Limiting heavy lifting and other strenuous activities
- Exercising to improve strength and blood flow
- Taking medications to reduce pain
- Watching for fever, swelling, and other signs of infection
- Scheduling follow-up appointments
If the patient doesn’t understand the surgeon’s guidance, they should not hesitate to ask questions and learn more. The closer they adhere to the recovery instructions, the faster their recovery will be, helping them avoid infection and enjoy the positive results of surgery sooner.
Find Back Pain Relief Near You in Nedw Jersey
Risky surgeries with high rates of failure are a thing of the past. Modern, minimally invasive procedures deliver reliable results with less pain, helping patients get back to active lifestyles. NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute specializes in providing minimally invasive treatments to New Jersey patients. Learn more about lumbar microdiscectomy success rates by contacting us today.