Why Herniated Disc Surgery May be Necessary

If you have been told that you need a herniated disc surgery, call our office to receive information on the options that are available to you. This is an important procedure and it is necessary to be well informed prior to getting started. In the meantime, here is some basic information that you should know.

Why disc problems are so painful

A disc is in place between each of the vertebrae in the spine. They are in place to absorb shocks and function like a pillow. This way, the vertebrae in the back cannot physically touch each other. If the disc becomes herniated, it will protrude beyond where it is supposed to and push on the nerves in the spine. With pressure being placed on the nerve, patients experience incredible amounts of pain that can even be debilitating.

In some circumstances, a patient will not experience severe pain. This is a good thing, so if more minor symptoms are present it is wise to make note of them and to secure treatment before the condition becomes painful.

Other symptoms

Other signs of a herniated disc include:

• Tingling
• Weakness
• Numbness

There is more than one type of herniated disc surgery

The type of surgery we recommend is going to be based on what we see during the examination and x-rays. A discectomy is the most common type of herniated disc surgery. This is a surgical procedure where a portion of the disc is removed in order to alleviate pressure being placed on the nerve. An incision is made in the back so that we can access the disc. In some cases, the entire disc needs to be removed but typically only a portion of it does.

Another type of herniated disc surgery is a laminotomy. This is where a surgeon works to relieve some of the pressure on the nerve roots by creating a small opening in the lamina. It can usually be done with the help of a microscope, therefore, it is minimally invasive.

If the problem is severe, an artificial disc may be required to replace the natural one. This is significantly more invasive and typically require staying in the hospital for a few days.

Another more invasive option is a spinal fusion. In this procedure, vertebrae can be fused together using bone grafts. This procedure requires a hospital stay.

Also, some patients may benefit from nonsurgical methods such as physical therapy. We can make a recommendation for this if we believe it would be helpful.

Discuss options

Given that there are multiple types of disc surgery that are all designed to help relieve pressure and improve comfort, it is important to speak with an experienced surgeon that can perform all of these procedures. This is the best way to gain valuable information that can help to determine which procedure is right for your health and for your lifestyle. We can provide in-depth information during a consultation and would be happy to do so.

To learn more about these options call us today.