Posted on : 08/02/2022 Views : 1044
Discectomy: Can Your Back Pain be Cured Permanently?
Anyone who has had a damaged spinal disc knows how painful it can be. Every movement seems to make the situation worse. Pain is the warning sign that you should not neglect. It can be managed if you consult your doctor right away and avail of the necessary treatments.
The rubbery pads between the vertebrae, the specialized cartilage that make up the spinal column, are known as spinal discs. Intervertebral discs are the medical term for them. Each disc is a one-inch-diameter, one-quarter-inch-thick flat circular capsule. And when these discs get damaged or diseased, it can give rise to several spine problems. When a disc ruptures (herniates) and pulls out between the bones, it can put pressure on adjacent nerves. In your back, legs, and arms, it might cause discomfort, numbness, and weakness. Discectomy refers to a type of spine surgery that removes the degenerated or herniated portion of the disc. Do you need the surgery to get rid of the pain? If yes, then when should you consider having the surgery? In this blog, we have discussed all your queries with our experts specializing in cervical discectomy surgery in Jaynagar. So keep reading to know more.
How can discectomy be helpful for your spine problems?
The nerves that are being irritated by your herniated disc should be relieved via surgery. Your orthopedic surgeon will remove the diseased disc i.e the part causing pressure over the nerve. This will ease your pain. This can be performed in two ways-
- Open discectomy- performed through a cut (incision) on your neck or back depending upon location of disease
- Microdiscectomy- This is done by making a considerably smaller cut. To see and remove the damaged disc, your surgeon inserts a small tube with a camera on one end.
Do I need discectomy surgery?
As per the orthopedic surgeon from the best hospital in Bangalore, your doctor may consider discectomy as an option only if
- You're in so much pain that you can't move or carry out your everyday tasks.
- You have numbness or weakness, as the disc is pushing over your nerves.
- You don’t have control over your bladder and bowel function.
- It is difficult for you to stand or walk.
When should I opt for a Discectomy surgery?
- If non-surgical treatments such as exercise, physiotherapy, pain medicines, and other medications such as NSAIDs are ineffective in treating your back pain, your surgeon may recommend minimally invasive spine surgery.
- If you have degenerative disc disease or
- Herniated disc
- If you are experiencing crucial pain in both your legs(sciatica)
- Weakness in one or both of your legs.
However, before undergoing this procedure, you should discuss all of your concerns with your doctor.
How will the discectomy surgery be performed?
- The initial step is to elevate the back muscles from the lamina (the bony arch of the spine). As the back muscles run vertically, these muscles are not severed, but rather shifted out of the path.
- After that, the surgeon enters the spine by removing a membrane covering the nerve roots. The nerve root is then visualized using an operating microscope.
- A little bit of the facet joint is removed to gain access to the nerve root and to relieve pain over the nerve.
The orthopedic surgeon slides the nerve root to the side and removes the disc material from beneath the nerve root in a smooth motion.
FAQ: All your queries resolved-
What is the success rate of discectomy surgery?
Microdiscectomy is a surgical treatment that relieves discomfort in the legs and lower back in roughly 85-95 percent of cases. The patient experiences instant pain relief, although nerve healing can take up to 6-8 weeks in some circumstances. When a nerve has been pinched for a long time, the success rate is rarely 100 percent. You might experience mild pain, tingling, or weakness even after the surgery. The success rate is less in this scenario.
What should I do during the recovery process?
Within a few weeks of surgery, you should see an improvement in symptoms such as pain, weakness, and numbness.
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation can aid in your recovery.
- You can either go to a rehabilitation facility or conduct workouts at home.
- Walking can also help you to regain your spine movement.
Avoid these things in the first two weeks after your surgery:
- lifting heavy objects.
- Sitting for an extended period
- Too much bending or stretching
- Performing strenuous exercise
When can I resume my daily activities?
Your doctor will tell you when you can drive, return to work, and perform other normal activities. In 2 to 4 weeks, you should be able to return to a desk job or drive. You may have to wait for 6 to 8 weeks if your profession requires you to lift heavy objects or operate large machines at work.
Conclusion- If you still have any concerns related to the surgery and want a second opinion, you can always consult with our doctors, as we provide the best discectomy surgery in Bangalore.