Herniated Discs And Microdecompression Surgery

If you have a herniated disc in your back, then your physician may decide to use conservative treatments to resolve your discomfort. Conservative treatments are typically tried for six weeks. If they are not successful in treating the painful ailment, then your doctor may move on and suggest a surgical option. Surgical options can vary, but something called a microdiscectomy is often completed. Keep reading to understand a little bit about this procedure.

What Is A Microdiscectomy?

A microdiscectomy or a microdecompression surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that reduces the pressure on the nerve root in the affected region. As pressure is reduced, pain is substantially minimized. However, the root will need some time to heal after the procedure, so pain will not immediately disappear. This is something to keep in mind, because many people feel as though the surgery has failed, when in reality, healing must occur first. 

During the procedure, the herniated area of the spinal disc will be removed. The surgery is considered an open one, as the traditional surgery is completed through an incision. While this is true, the incision is small and will involve very little damage to tissues in the region. This is important to reduce scar tissue problems that can cause future pressure and pain issues. In most cases, you can expect an incision to only be about one inch long. 

Once the incision is made, the muscles are cut and moved to the side. The nerve root membrane is cut, the nerve is gently moved, and the bulging disc is cut and released from the area. The suture is then closed up.

In some cases, surgeons will use endoscopic tools to complete the surgical procedure. However, experienced surgeons are usually the ones who do this due to the delicate nature of the procedure and the proximity to the nerve.

Are There Complications?

There are complications with every surgery, but some procedures have minimal complication risks. This is true of the microdecompression procedure, and you can expect a relatively high success rate that is well over 80%. This rate is based on a study conducted on active and healthy individuals, so your own success rate may be lower based on your age and overall health. However, if the procedure is not successful, pain is not likely to worsen.

While these things are true, you should know that there are some risks associated with the surgery that include potential nerve damage, incontinence, infection, bleeding, fluid buildup, and blood clots. 

Another issue you need to be aware of is the recurrence of spinal disc herniation. In a small number of cases, the disc can become herniated once again. If this happens, then a more invasive procedure may be required to stabilize the disc.

What Happens After Surgery?

The recovery period after the microdecompression surgery is limited and minimal. However, if the operation involves the leaking of spinal fluid into the body due to a dural leak, then you may be asked to rest for several days so the damaged area can heal. Outside of this issue, you will be able to walk and return to normal activities within several days. In fact, movement is recommended to reduce the risk of fluid building in the lungs. Also, movement can minimize scar tissue issues. 

Once the surgery is completed, you will meet with your surgeon after a few weeks to gauge pain levels and to figure out whether or not the operation was successful. 

If you want to know more about spinal herniation surgery and your options, then speak with a surgical professional or check out websites like http://swfna.com. The professional can explain the procedure thoroughly so you understand exactly what will happen during the operation. 

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