Lumbar Microdiscectomy

What Is Lumbar Microdiscectomy?

Lumbar microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive surgery to treat ruptured spinal discs in the lower back. It is like discectomy, which involves removing the damaged disc before stabilizing the spine with a disc replacement or spinal fusion. However, with microdiscectomy, only part of the disc is removed. This relieves pressure on the spinal cord for immediate relief with less surgical trauma. The structure of the spine is key to its function. It is composed of several interlocking bones called vertebrae. Separating vertebrae are pads of rubbery tissue with jelly centers. These pads, called spinal discs, allow the spine to bend and twist while absorbing shock. Though spinal discs are resilient, degeneration or traumatic injury can cause a disc to rupture. The gel center leaks into the spinal cavity, putting pressure on the spinal cord. This results in intense pain and loss of function.

When Is Lumbar Microdiscectomy Recommended?

Lumbar microdiscectomy is the standard treatment for a lumbar herniated disc. This term refers to a ruptured spinal disc in the lumbar spine or lower region of the back. This rupture creates a gel leak into the spinal canal. A large enough leak may compress the spinal cord, interfering with nerve signals. This pressure is what creates most symptoms of herniated disc, which include:

• Numbness or tingling sensations in the buttocks and legs
• Pain that travels through the buttocks, legs, and feet
• Loss of muscle strength in the legs
• Difficulty walking
• Loss of urinary or bowel control

Surgery is not always the first recommended treatment. In some cases, physicians may begin with conservative methods such as physical therapy, medication, or steroid injections. However, this approach cannot treat pain at its source. If symptoms do not improve with non-surgical treatments or they interfere with a person’s everyday activities, then lumbar microdiscectomy may be considered as a permanent solution. The NU-Spine neurosurgeon will guide patients through this decision.

Who Performs Lumbar Microdiscectomy at NU-Spine?

All surgical treatments at NU-Spine are performed by Dr. Branko Skovrlj, our resident neurosurgeon. He is one of the few board-certified neurosurgeons in New Jersey to focus exclusively on the spine. His expertise lies in minimally invasive spine surgeries, including microdiscectomy, which provide positive results while reducing surgical trauma. He contributes to research efforts that improve the availability and effectiveness of these methods and has earned multiple awards for his work. Though Dr. Skovrlj is globally renowned for his surgical expertise, he still believes in small-town values. He understands that back pain can leave patients feeling limited or insecure, so he strives to maintain a calm and compassionate environment. At NU-Spine, patients can feel comfortable discussing their pain and possible treatments.

How Is Lumbar Microdiscectomy Performed?

Lumbar microdiscectomy is usually performed under the effects of general anesthesia. This means the patient sleeps through the procedure. Dr. Skovrlj begins by arranging the patient on the operating table and administering the anesthesia. Once the patient is asleep, he follows these steps to perform a microdiscectomy:

1. He makes an incision on the patient’s back near the herniated disc.
2. He uses a surgical dilator to pull back muscles aside, letting him access the problematic spinal disc without further cutting.
3. He inserts an endoscope, or tiny camera, into the channel created by the dilator. This helps him see inside the spine to work with greater precision.
4. Skovrlj removes small parts of the lamina or back section of the vertebra until he can access the herniated disc.
5. He removes the part of the spinal disc that puts pressure on the spinal cord.
6. If necessary, he may perform a lumbar spinal fusion to stabilize the vertebrae.
7. Skovrlj closes the incision with sutures (stitches) and covers it with a dressing.

By itself, lumbar microdiscectomy takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes. The procedure may take longer if a spinal fusion is required. Once Dr. Skovrlj is finished, the patient is taken to a recovery room where they can wake up slowly. Some patients can go home as soon as they are awake. Other patients may need to remain at the hospital for one night to ensure their condition is stable.

Recovery After Lumbar Microdiscectomy

Once the patient is cleared to leave the hospital, Dr. Skovrlj provides guidance for recovery at home. Patients should follow these instructions carefully to avoid complications and help their spine heal correctly. His guidelines may include:

• Protecting the incision site
• Avoiding activities that involve heavy lifting
• Exercising to improve back strength
• Taking medications to manage pain
• Monitoring for signs of infection
• Scheduling a follow-up appointment

Most patients return to light activities within one to two weeks. After this point, physical therapy will begin to help the person rebuild strength and mobility at the surgical site. The physical therapist guides the patient toward a gradual return to normal activities, which typically takes around six weeks.

Outcomes of Lumbar Microdiscectomy

Though recovery may take several weeks, most patients experience relief immediately after their lumbar microdiscectomy. All nerve pain and other symptoms are eliminated by the procedure. Once the patient has fully recovered, they can return to the activities they enjoyed before their back condition. Lumbar microdiscectomy is minimally invasive, which has some advantages over traditional discectomy. This approach minimizes surgical trauma, so it can deliver the same positive results with less post-surgical pain. Patients recover more quickly with less risk of infection or other complications.

Find Back Pain Relief Near You in New Jersey

Don’t wait for relief from your back condition. Transform your life with a touch of care at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. Experience the cutting edge in minimally invasive spine treatments, including lumbar microdiscectomy, at our locations near you throughout New Jersey. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and find out whether spine surgery is the right step for you.

Lumbar Microdiscectomy Frequently Asked Questions

What does lumbar microdiscectomy treat? Lumbar microdiscectomy is the preferred treatment for herniated discs. It is typically recommended for patients whose pain interferes with everyday activities, especially if it has not responded to conservative treatments. Is lumbar microdiscectomy effective at relieving pain? Lumbar microdiscectomy has a high success rate for addressing nerve pain. Most patients feel relief immediately after treatment. What are the benefits of minimally invasive surgery? Minimally invasive procedures work through smaller incisions to avoid cutting through muscles and nerves. This reduces post-surgical pain and allows for a faster recovery with fewer complications. How long is recovery after lumbar microdiscectomy? While pain relief is immediate, most patients will need a few weeks to achieve full recovery. Is physical therapy necessary after lumbar microdiscectomy? Some patients may need physical therapy to regain full range of motion after surgery. Dr. Skovrlj will discuss whether physical therapy is needed during your follow-up visits.