Microdiscectomy: Treatment For Your Herniated Disc

Microdiscectomy is one of the most common procedures performed to treat pain traveling down your arms or legs. It is a minimally invasive surgery that has helped several patients by relieving pain and enabling them to quickly return to their normal lives. If you or your loved one has been recommended to go for a microdiscectomy, then before proceeding with it, you should have sufficient information about the procedure. Here, we have discussed microdiscectomy and the different aspects of the procedure.

What Is Microdiscectomy?

Traditionally, a discectomy was performed to remove the portion of the intervertebral disc that pressed onto the nerves and was the source of pain for many patients. The procedure involved making a large incision to access the spine. Though this was effective, the procedure led to a longer recovery time and substantial damage to the muscles. This leads to unsatisfactory results after the treatment. All of this changed with the advent of microdiscectomy which was minimally invasive and involved making a small incision to execute the surgery.

When Do You Need A Microdiscectomy?

Microdiscectomy will be recommended to treat a herniated disc that is pressing on the spinal nerve. This usually occurs if a portion of your intervertebral disc has separated from the disc and is then pressing on the spinal nerves, or when the disc is intact, but a portion of it is protruding or bulging. Some of the circumstances in which you will be asked to undergo a microdiscectomy are:

• You are facing difficulty in walking or standing because of weakness and pain in the nerves.
• Conventional approaches such as medications, steroid injections, or physical therapy have not been effective in improving the pain even after 6-12 weeks.
• The pain has radiated to your arms, buttocks, or legs and is now becoming increasingly challenging to deal with.

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Are You Eligible For Microdiscectomy?

If approaches such as physical therapy and medications have been unsuccessful in treating your herniated disc then the doctor may suggest you to go for a microdiscectomy.  Though the condition usually occurs in people between the ages of 30 and 50 years, it is still possible to find it outside this age group. Herniated discs are generally uncommon in adolescents and children. Surgical procedures such as microdiscectomy are considered to be more suitable for people in the age group of 80-90 years. However, people in this group should also be well-informed about the possibility of surgical or medical complications.

What Happens In a Microdiscectomy?

The procedure is carried out under general anesthesia and typically lasts for about an hour. During this surgery, you will be ventilated and have an endotracheal tube put in for breathing. You will also be given antibiotics prior to the surgery. After you have been placed on your stomach, the surgeon will clean the surgical site (lower back area) with a sterile solution. The,n an incision of about 1-2 cm will be made in the midline of the lower back by the surgeon in the location of the herniated disc. After the surgery is performed, the incision will be closed with a few sutures. Thus, resulting in a very minimal scar. The surgeon can use different techniques to perform a microdiscectomy. These include:

• Tubular microdiscectomy: In this, the surgeon makes a tiny incision and inserts several tiny tubes or dilators to create a passage through the muscle. This helps the surgeon to perform the procedure while minimizing damage to the surrounding tissue.
• Endoscopic microdiscectomy: This method causes less damage to the tissues around the disc by creating a smaller incision and using instruments and a camera that are more miniature while performing the surgery.
• Midline microdiscectomy: The surgeon creates a 1-2-inch incision in your back and then separates the surrounding muscles. These are then kept apart with the help of an instrument during the surgery.

Cost Of Microdiscectomy

Microdiscectomy has become the treatment of choice for many patients. However, before undergoing this procedure, the cost is another important factor that needs to be taken into consideration. The cost of microdiscectomy can vary depending on the accreditation of the hospital, the experience, and skills of the surgeon, the extent to which the damage has occurred to the disc, and if any other diagnostic tests or procedures need to be carried out. In general, the cost of microdiscectomy can also vary from one country to another. Some countries offer more affordable surgeries as compared to others.

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Conclusion

Microdiscectomy has revolutionized the field of surgery for microdiscectomy. The procedure has many benefits for the patients. However, it is far from perfect and may also have certain risks. Discussing the procedure and the possible outcomes of microdiscectomy in detail will provide you with the necessary clarity to move forward with the treatment.

Reference Links:

• https://www.hss.edu/conditions_microdiscectomy-surgery-for-herniated-disc.asp
• https://www.hss.edu/conditions_microdiscectomy-surgery-for-herniated-disc.asp