Discectomy
What is a Discectomy?
A discectomy, a degenerative disc treatment option, is a surgical procedure to treat a herniated or bulging disc by removing the damaged portion of the disc. Dr. Jenkins regularly performs endoscopic discectomy, which is a minimally invasive procedure that is most effective for treating pain that radiates down your arms or legs.
Endoscopic discectomy can be performed on discs in the lumbar (low back), thoracic (mid back), and cervical (neck) regions of the spine.
Is Discectomy Right for Me?
Why is a discectomy performed?
A discectomy is performed for patients with herniated, extruded, or degenerated discs that are causing significant symptoms, such as sciatica or other pain that radiates into the legs and arms. When discs become herniated, extruded, or bulging, they can press on nerves or cause inflammation and swelling that can crowd nerves. This results in shooting pain, dull aching sensations, and weakness or numbness in the arms or legs.
Degeneration, injury, wear and tear, and other factors cause discs to lose volume over time, resulting in inflammation and localized instability, both of which can irritate or impinge on nerves. Many patients who undergo a discectomy have already tried more conservative approaches such as physical therapy or anti-inflammatory medications for a prolonged period without achieving resolution of symptoms.
How is a discectomy performed?
Am I a Candidate for a Discectomy?
Dr. Jenkins may recommend a discectomy to treat the pain caused by a herniated or bulging disc. A discectomy will relieve the pressure that the disc overlap is putting on the spinal nerves.
Typically, most patients will try other, more conservative, treatment options like steroid injections or physical therapy before scheduling surgery. In some cases, a patient is experiencing so much pain that they have difficulty standing or walking due to nerve pain. In such instances, surgery may be the best, most immediate option for pain relief.
What is recovery like?
Most discectomies are performed as outpatient surgeries, which means patients can return home the same day. Although numbness and tingling can take a few weeks to resolve completely, most patients experience significant relief in their pain symptoms soon after their procedure. Some activities, such as twisting, bending, and lifting, will need to be avoided for a few weeks after the procedure to enable the area to heal properly.
Patients with relatively sedentary jobs are usually able to return to work, at least part-time, within a couple of weeks. Most patients can resume their regular activities within about six weeks.
Physical therapy may also be used during recovery to help strengthen the back muscles and increase mobility and flexibility throughout the back. A physical therapist can also provide guidance and advice about changes in work and lifestyle habits that can help you avoid disc injuries in the future.