Discectomy For Herniated Disc!

A significant injury or strain can cause a Herniated Disc in any part of the spine. Also, due to aging, degeneration of the material of the disc and weakening of ligaments holding them in place can lead to this condition. It can be diagnosed through X-Ray, CT scan, MRI, Electromyogram (EMG), Myelogram, and Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS).

A Herniated Disc can most of the time be relieved initially through pain relievers, resting appropriately, and physical therapy. However, if the symptoms still persist with little or no relief, surgery is the next option considered. Sometimes, when the symptoms are extremely bad leading to difficulty even in moving around and performing small tasks of daily life, trouble in walking and standing and uncontrollable bowel and bladder pattern, surgery can be considered in the early stage.

The surgical procedure performed to treat a Herniated Disc is called Discectomy. Discectomy involves full or partial removal of an intervertebral Herniated Disc.

Discectomy is broadly be classified into two major types depending on the extent of invasion: Open Discectomy and Microdiscectomy. An Open Discectomy involves cutting the back or the neck depending on the location of the Herniated Disc, and its removal. Microdiscectomy refers to a minimally invasive approach to Discectomy, in which a special microscope is inserted through a small incision in the affected area to view clearly the condition of the nerves and discs inside. Then, accordingly, the Herniated Disc is removed. Microdiscectomy causes less damage to the surrounding tissue as compared to an open procedure. Moreover, the recovery time is drastically reduced in this case, and so does the risk of any infection.