Lumbar and Cervical Microdiscectomy in New Jersey
Intervertebral discs are small, gel-filled sacs with tough yet flexible outer rings. They support and provide cushioning between the bones of the spine (vertebrae). A herniated disc occurs when the disc is damaged and ruptures, causing significant pain. For herniated discs in the cervical (neck) or lumber and sacrum (lower back) areas of the spine, microdiscectomy is an effective treatment. This procedure removes the damaged section of the intervertebral disc, relieving pain and other symptoms.
Led by board-certified neurosurgeon Branko Skovrlj, MD, NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute uses state-of-the-art technology to diagnose various spine conditions and provides surgical and non-surgical procedures to help patients regain pain-free living. Patients throughout New Jersey and beyond choose NU-Spine, with New Jersey locations in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, Holmdel, Freehold, and Hainesport.
What Is Microdiscectomy?
The goal of microdiscectomy is to remove pressure on the spinal nerve root from a herniated disc. Spine surgeons remove a portion of the disc that irritates the nerve root. Microdiscectomy is a more precise version of discectomy, which involves removing all or most of the intervertebral disc. The procedure might also be called microdiscectomy decompression.
NU-Spine focuses on minimally invasive surgery, meaning spine surgeons complete endoscopic microdiscectomy with small incisions to protect the nerves surrounding the damaged disc. Spine surgeons use the same technique for cervical and lumbar microdiscectomy.
Why Have Microdiscectomy Surgery?
Treating a herniated disc is one of the most common reasons for microdiscectomy. In addition to pain in the back or neck, other symptoms of a herniated disc include:
- Numbness or tingling in the shoulders, arms, chest, neck, or hands (cervical herniated disc) or feet and legs (lumbar herniated disc)
- Worsening pain with movement
- Pain that radiates to nearby parts of the body (sciatica)
- Loss of bladder or bowel control (lumbar herniated disc)
Patients with such symptoms may seek a formal diagnosis from a spine specialist. These specialists have the technology necessary to confirm or rule out a herniated disc.
Once a patient is diagnosed with a herniated disc, spine specialists usually will recommend surgery like microdiscectomy. Although over-the-counter or prescription medication and physical therapy can often provide some relief, the symptoms of a herniated disc tend to worsen over time. Spine surgery is required to remove the damaged fragments of the disc that put pressure on the nerve roots. Consider some of the consequences of not undergoing microdiscectomy:
- The neck, back, or leg pain can become so debilitating it prevents a patient from engaging in daily activities.
- Symptoms continue not to improve, even after weeks of conservative treatment.
- Loss of strength and mobility compromises the overall quality of life.
What Other Conditions Does Microdiscectomy Help Treat?
Microdiscectomy is the gold standard for treating herniated discs, especially in the lower back. However, spine surgeons also rely on this procedure to treat several other spine conditions, such as:
- Degenerative disc disease: This refers to deterioration of the spinal discs due to natural wear and tear with age. It may occur in the neck (cervical degenerative joint disease) or lower back (lumbar degenerative disc disease).
- Pinched nerve: Cervical pinched nerves and lumbar pinched nerves happen when a compressed nerve causes pain to radiate to other parts of the body (radiculopathy).
- Post-laminectomy syndrome: Microdiscectomy might be used as revision surgery in patients who underwent laminectomy surgery and either the pain returned or new symptoms developed.
- Cauda equina syndrome: This condition affects nerves that control behavior in the bladder, intestines, and genitals. Compression on these nerves can cause a loss of bladder or bowel control, tingling or numbness in the buttocks and genitals, or weakness in the legs. Lumbar microdiscectomy is necessary to treat cauda equina syndrome.
What Happens During Microdiscectomy at NU-Spine?
Patients can trust Dr. Skovrlj, an award-winning neurosurgeon with extensive experience performing procedures such as microdiscectomy. In most cases, Dr. Skovrlj will recommend a more conservative treatment option before considering spine surgery.
Patients undergoing microdiscectomy can expect the following:
- Patients receive general anesthesia to help them relax and ensure they feel no pain during surgery.
- Skovrlj makes a small incision and inserts the endoscope for performing minimally invasive spine surgery, using the monitor to locate the affected disc.
- With small surgical tools, Dr. Skovrlj first removes a small piece of the vertebra called the lamina that protects the spinal cord (laminectomy). This procedure is necessary if the affected disc protrudes into the spinal canal, as it can lead to cervical spinal stenosis or lumbar spinal stenosis.
- Once he can access the disc, Dr. Skovrlj will remove the fragment and its contents, alleviating pressure on the nerve.
- Skovrlj then removes the surgical tools and closes and dresses the incision.
Once the disc is removed, Dr. Skovrlj may need to perform spinal fusion to account for the missing portion of the disc. This procedure fuses two or more vertebrae permanently to create a single, solid bone. Spinal fusions promote spinal stability and strength while relieving pain. NU-Spine usually performs spinal fusions on an in-patient basis, meaning patients may need to stay overnight in the hospital.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in NJ
Dr. Skovrlj uses innovative and minimally invasive spine surgery approaches and is one of the few neurosurgeons to focus solely on the spine. He and the team take the time to get to know each patient and create treatment plans with their specific symptoms and concerns in mind.
Transform your life with a touch of care! Experience the cutting edge in minimally invasive spine treatments. Don’t wait for relief; schedule your appointment with NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute today and take the first step toward a pain-free future. Visit our New Jersey locations in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, Holmdel, Freehold, and Hainesport.
