Understanding Minimally Invasive Lumbar Discectomy

Lumbar discectomy is a type of surgery to remove a part of a disc in the lower back. Minimally invasive surgery uses two or more small cuts (incisions) instead of one large cut. This may lead to less pain after surgery. It can also lead to faster recovery.

Your backbone (spinal column) is made up of a chain of bones called the vertebrae. Your spinal cord runs through the spinal column. The bones help protect the cord from injury. Discs sit between each vertebra. The discs give cushioning and support. Large nerves called nerve roots exit from the spinal cord through small holes between the bones. These holes are called foramen. These nerve roots send and receive signals to and from the body. The signals are sent to and from your brain through the spinal cord.

The outer wall of one of these discs may tear and weaken with age or injury. When this happens, the soft inner part of the disc bulges out. This is called a herniated or bulging disc. This bulging disc can press on the spinal cord or the nerve roots. This can cause pain, tingling, difficulty urinating, or weakness in your arms or legs.

You may need this surgery if you have a herniated disc in your lower back that is causing symptoms. Symptoms may include weakness, pain, or tingling in the back area and in one of your legs.

Lumbar discectomy can't be used to treat all cases of back pain. And not everyone with a herniated disc needs this surgery. Your doctor might advise the surgery if you have tried other treatments but still have severe symptoms. Other treatments to try first include physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medicines.

The surgery is done by a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon and a trained medical team. The surgeon will use a special type of X-ray to view the surgery. The surgeon will make one or more small incisions on your back in the area that needs to be treated. Then a tool called a tubular retractor will be put into this incision. This will expose the part of the spine to be treated. The surgeon will then pass small tools through this retractor. This may include a tiny camera and a light. Using the small tools, the surgeon will remove the herniated part of the disc. Other repairs will be done as needed.

Every surgery has risks. Risks for this surgery include:

• Infection.
• Too much bleeding.
• Blood clots.
• Injury to nearby nerves.
• A reaction to anesthetic medicines.
• Only having short-term relief of symptoms.
• The need for another surgery.

Not everyone improves with surgery. Your risks may vary depending on your age and your general health. Talk with your doctor about the risks that most apply to you.