Discectomy

Discectomy: Definition, Reasons, Risks, Preparation, and Procedure

What is a discectomy?

A discectomy is a surgical operation done on your spine to relieve the symptoms of a herniated or bulging disc. When a spinal disc herniates, the protruding portion of it can pinch or compress the nerves around it. This can cause weakness, numbness or pain in your back, and the pain can also follow the path of the nerve, radiating down your legs or arms. A discectomy removes the portion of the disc that is damaged or bulging.

Discectomy works best for the pain that radiates away from the back, down into either the arms or the legs. It is not as helpful for relieving pain centered in the back or neck. The majority of patients who have pain in the neck or back find more relief with non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy and medications for pain.

If non-surgical treatments haven't been successful in relieving your pain, or if your symptoms continue to get worse, your doctor may recommend discectomy. There are several different methods used to perform the discectomy. One technique that is minimally invasive involves small incisions and a minuscule camera.

Reasons for Discectomy

A disc herniates when a crack or tear develops in the tough outer rim and some of the gel-like centers of the disc escapes through the crack or tear. This gel-like material takes up space in the spinal canal, placing pressure on the nearby spinal nerve or the spinal cord itself. A discectomy is a surgical procedure that is done to take the pressure off the nerves or spinal cord by removing part or all of the herniated disc. Herniated discs are sometimes called slipped discs, ruptured or bulging discs, or prolapsed discs.

Your physician might advise discectomy if:

- Nerve weakness has progressed to the point you have difficulty walking or standing

- After six weeks of non-surgical treatment, such as physical therapy, your symptoms are not improving

- A fragment of a disc becomes lodged in the spinal cord and is compressing a nerve

- The pain radiating into your arms, chest, legs or buttocks is no longer manageable

Risks of Discectomy

Discectomy is considered to be a safe operation. Just like any surgery, there is a risk of complications occurring during a discectomy. Possible complications include the following:

- Bleeding

- Infection

- Spinal fluid leaking

- Damage to nerves or blood vessels around and in the spine

- Damage to the protective layer of tissues that surround the spine

Preparation for Discectomy

You may not be able to eat or drink for several hours before your operation. Your doctor will provide you with instructions concerning this. If you have any questions, be sure to ask your physician.

During discectomy

A discectomy is typically completed under general anesthesia, so you will be asleep during the operation. You will be given medication to make you sleepy to breathe in through a mask or through an intravenous (IV) line.

After the incision is made, small portions of ligaments and spinal bone may have to be taken out so the surgeon can see and operate on the disc that is damaged. The goal is to remove only the portion of the disc that is compressing the nerve while leaving the rest of the disc intact. Sometimes the entire disc needs to be removed. When this happens, the surgeon will need to fill the gap left by the disc with another piece of bone or an artificial bone. The vertebrae lying just above and just below where the damaged disc was removed, will be joined together using surgical medical hardware.

After discectomy

Following a discectomy, you will wake up in the recovery room. You will stay here for a short time to make sure your condition is stable. Some people return home the same day they have a discectomy, but if there were any other medical problems, you might have to stay a few days to help prevent complications.

Depending on the type of job you do, you might be able to return to work within two to six weeks. If your job requires operating heavy machines or equipment, or heavy lifting, your physician may not allow you to go back to work for six to eight weeks. For at least four weeks after surgery limit, the amount of stooping, bending and lifting you do, and you might also need to decrease the amount of time you spend sitting.

A skilled physical therapist will be able to instruct you in an exercise plan that will improve the flexibility and strength of your back muscles.

Results of Discectomy

Discectomy helps to relieve the symptoms of a herniated disc in most people who have clear indications of nerve compression, such as pain that radiates from the back into the arms or legs.

A discectomy may not provide permanent relief, however, because it does not solve the underlying problem that initially caused the disc to herniate. Your doctor may make some recommendations that will help you avoid injuring your spine again, such as a routine program of low-impact exercise or weight reduction. It may also be recommended that you avoid activities that require repetitive or extensive lifting, twisting or bending.

You might also like to review:
- Spinal Diagnostics
- Radiography

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Questions & Answers

What is the best way to treat permanent back and neck pain and stiffness?

Age2B

Here are some tips:

Neck Pain Tips: Sleep with a cervical pillow

Orthopedic or cervical pillows are made with special contours to support the space beneath the neck and head. They are also more concave for the head and provide more support to the neck.

Neck Pain Tips: Sleep on your back

The best position to lie to sleep is on your back. If you sleep on your stomach or on your side, make sure your pillow is not too thick. It should raise your head no more than 4 to 6 inches. This will keep your neck and head from turning to either side.

Neck Pain Tips: Position your computer screen at eye level

While you are working at a computer, sit comfortably in your chair with your computer in front of you. Close your eyes and then open them. When you open your eyes, you should see the middle of the computer screen. If your gaze is not in the middle of the screen, adjust the height of the screen using items like books.

To keep your head from gradually drifting forward, take frequent breaks to stretch. Getting up to walk around at least once every half-hour is one of the best neck pain tips.

Neck Pain Tips: Use a telephone headset

Never hold a phone between your shoulder and your ear. Use a headset or other hands-free system to talk on the phone and avoid abusing your neck and spine.

Neck Pain Tips: Exercise your neck muscles

One of the best neck pain tips is using the chin tuck. You can do this often throughout the day. In addition to helping strengthen the muscles that hold the head in alignment over the shoulders, it also helps strengthen the scalene and sub-occipital muscles.

Age2B

4 answers

What is the best treatment for neck pain and shoulder Pain?

Age2B

One of the best treatment for neck pain and shoulder pain is exercises:

Neck Pain Exercises: Neck Extension

To begin this neck pain exercise, sit up straight in a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
Looking straight ahead, tuck your chin slightly (starting position)
Place the palm of your hand on the back of your neck, at the base of your head
Apply slight forward pressure with your hand, while resisting the forward motion of your neck and head
Hold for a count of 5 and return to the starting position and relax
Repeat the neck pain exercises 5-10 times

Neck pain exercises: Side bend

Sit up straight in a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
Looking straight ahead, tuck your chin slightly (starting position)
Place your left hand, palm down, on the left side of your head (around your ear)
Slightly push your head to the right side with your hand, while resisting the sideways motion of your neck and head
Hold for a count of 5 and return to the starting position and relax.
Repeat 5-10 times
Repeat the neck pain exercises with the other side.

Neck pain exercises: Neck flexion

Sit up straight in a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
Looking straight ahead, tuck your chin slightly (starting position)
Place the tips of your fingers on your forehead
Slightly push your head backward with your fingers, while resisting the backward motion of your neck and head
Hold for a count of 5 and return to the starting position and relax.
Repeat the neck pain exercises 5-10 times

More exercises here: Neck Pain Exercises

Age2B

4 answers

How do I reduce the shoulder and neck pain?

Age2B

Here are some tips:

Neck Pain Tips: Sleep with a cervical pillow

Orthopedic or cervical pillows are made with special contours to support the space beneath the neck and head. They are also more concave for the head and provide more support to the neck.

Neck Pain Tips: Sleep on your back

Neck Pain Tips: Position your computer screen at eye level

To keep your head from gradually drifting forward, take frequent breaks to stretch. Getting up to walk around at least once every half-hour is one of the best neck pain tips.

Neck Pain Tips: Carry weight evenly

Many people make the mistake of carrying a heavy briefcase or their purse on their shoulder or on one side of their body. Doing this causes strain in the muscles and leads to pain.

Remove non-essentials from your briefcase or purse. Consider using a backpack to evenly distribute the weight across your shoulders. If you choose to carry a purse or backpack, keep your shoulders level while carrying it.

Neck Pain Tips: Maintain a proper posture

The most common posture contributing to neck pain is the “head-and-shoulders-forward” posture. In this position, the neck slopes forward, putting the head in front of the shoulders.

In this position, the head pulls the upper back forward also in a slumped position. This places a strain on the entire spinal column.

More tips here: Neck Pain Tips: Sleeping, Posture, Exercising, Hydration & Prevention

Age2B

4 answers