RSSWhat is an Herniated Disc Surgery?
Personal Health back pain, herniated disc surgery No Comments
A herniated disc is a medical condition where there is tearing in the outer ring of the intervertebral disc and the soft central portion bulges out. The bulge commonly occurs in the posterior part of the spinal column and it may compress several nerves present in that area. The tearing of the disc and the compression of nerves could bring about extreme back pain.
Causes of herniated disc include aging (wear and tear principle), constant back strain, and accidents (vehicular accidents). First line of treatment for this condition is the conventional treatment which involves oral medications (like anti-inflammatory agents or pain medications) and physical therapy for pain.
About 50% of those with a herniated disc recover with conventional treatment within one month and about 96% recover within 6 months. Only 10% of those with this condition require surgery.
The goal of herniated disc surgery is to bring back motor movements of the patients and reduce the pain experienced. Not all those who experience back pains due to herniated disc can opt for surgery. The following conditions should be present first before herniated disc surgery is performed.
- Persistent leg pain that is not relieved with conventional treatment within about 4 weeks.
Body weakness.
Limitation of activities or loss of motion.
Abnormal sensory perception.
Diagnostic testing which reveals likelihood of improvement with surgery.
There are other factors that should be considered before the surgery such as health condition of the patient, age, severity of symptoms, financial capability of the patient and the impact the surgery can give to the patient.
Herniated disc surgery, just like any other surgeries, imposes many risks and complications. It is advised to weigh alternatives first and talk about the procedure, with your doctor and get his or her opinion.
There are different ways to perform herniated disc surgery. One is through open disectomy. Here, the bulge is removed by creating a suitable opening on the back of the patient to gain access to the herniated disc. This is used for both bulging disc and those that are already ruptured. This is considered the best surgical treatment at the moment.
Second is Laminotomy and laminectomy. Laminotomy is a procedure where a portion of the lamina is removed. Lamina is the thin part of the vertebrae that acts as a protective covering of the spinal cord. Laminectomy on the other hand is the complete removal of the lamina.
Last is the percutaneous disectomy. A small incision is done at the back and a special instrument is inserted to remove tissue in the herniated disc. It reduces the size of the heriniation relieving compression. This is considered less effective than open disectomy and is still considered expeirmental.
Many current health articles discuss this condition and other implications. If you or someone near you is suffering back pain and you suspect a herniated disc, do all the research and inform yourself so you can help make a good decision about the best care.