Do you also have frequent back pain? Does this pain sometimes feel like it goes down your leg? Many people say at times like this, "Where did my disc slip?" In fact, for many people, this pain gets better with medication, rest, and physical therapy. However, sometimes when this condition becomes severe, doctors recommend surgery. The name of that surgery is 'Diskectomy'. So today, let's talk about this to resolve all the questions you have in mind.
Simply put, what is this 'disk'?
Our spine is made up of a stack of tiny bones, one on top of the other. To stop these bones from rubbing against each other, there are cushions in between. Think of them as 'shock absorbers' in a car. Those cushions are what we call the intervertebral discs.
Each of these discs has a somewhat strong outer ring and a soft, jelly-like inner part. Sometimes, when there is too much pressure, this outer ring tears and the jelly-like inner part pushes out. That's what we call a 'slipped disc'. Medically, we call this a herniated disc .
The disc that protrudes like this presses on a nearby nerve. That's when we experience symptoms like pain and numbness in the back, arm, or leg. A diskectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the disc piece that protrudes and presses on the nerve.
What are the different methods of performing this surgery?
The surgical procedure your doctor chooses may vary depending on your condition and where the disc is located (back or neck). There are several main methods.
| Surgical method | Simply put, how to do it |
|---|---|
| Open Diskectomy | This is the traditional method. An incision is made about an inch or two from the affected disc, the muscles are gently pulled aside, and the doctor, looking directly at the disc, removes the disc. |
| Minimally Invasive/Microdiskectomy | Here, a very small incision (less than an inch) is made in the skin. Then, special instruments and a camera (endoscope) are inserted and the disc is removed under the supervision of a monitor. This causes very little damage to the muscles. |
| Neck surgery (Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion - ACDF) | This is done for people who have a herniated disc in their neck. Surprisingly, this surgery is done from the front of the neck. The disc is removed, and a bone graft or special implant is inserted into the space to stabilize the spine. (Spinal Fusion). |
Do I need to have this surgery too?
This is a very important question. Not everyone who has a herniated disc will need surgery. About 90 out of 100 people recover with non-surgical treatments. Your doctor will first try:
- Giving painkillers and muscle relaxants.
- Referral to physical therapy.
- Perhaps giving a special injection into the spine (Epidural Steroid Injection).
However, if there is no improvement after several months of these treatments, and if the following conditions are present, the doctor may consider surgery:
- If the pain or numbness in your arm or leg is unbearable and you are unable to perform daily tasks.
- If the muscles in the arm or leg are severely weakened.
- If you have severe pain (sciatica) that feels like an electric shock running down your leg.
Emergency!
If you suddenly feel like you are losing control of both legs, or if you experience a condition called Cauda Equina Syndrome, it is a very serious emergency. If this happens , you should go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately, without delay.
How do you prepare before surgery?
If you decide to have surgery, the surgeon will meet with you and explain everything.
- You will be thoroughly examined.
- Imaging tests, such as an MRI scan, are performed.
- They will ask about your complete medical history and the medications you are taking.
- If you are a smoker, you are advised to stop smoking completely at least 4 weeks before surgery, as nicotine significantly delays wound healing.
- Ask the doctor any questions you have at this time.
How long does it take to recover after surgery?
Recovery time varies from person to person. It depends on the severity of your condition, your overall health, and how well you follow your doctor's instructions.
Typically, most people start to feel better within 1 to 4 weeks . The recovery time for a small incision surgery is even shorter.
The most important thing is to follow the doctor's instructions carefully after the surgery.
- You should completely avoid bending your back, lifting weights, and twisting for 3 to 6 weeks. Doing these things increases the risk of a herniated disc occurring again.
- You can start light work in about two weeks.
- You can return to normal daily activities in about six weeks.
- For strenuous work or sports, you will have to wait about 3 months.
Risks of surgery and when to see a doctor
Like any surgery, a diskectomy can carry some minor risks. However, these are very rare. It is important to be clear about this.
| Possible risks associated with surgery | Symptoms that require immediate medical attention |
|---|---|
| Allergy to anesthesia, bleeding, wound infection. | Swelling, redness, and fever at the site of the wound. |
| Blood clots. | If the pain increases instead of decreasing. |
| Damage to a nerve. | Sudden numbness or muscle weakness . |
| Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. | Difficulty breathing. |
| Maybe the pain will remain the same or the disc will slip again. | Difficulty urinating or defecating. |
Back pain is a lifelong condition. It's normal to be afraid of surgery. But remember, this is a treatment that is often successful and can help you get your life back on track.
Take-Home Message
- Diskectomy is a surgical procedure performed for a herniated disk condition that has not been cured by other treatments and is causing severe symptoms.
- There are different types of procedures, such as open and minimally invasive. Talk to your doctor about the method that is best for you.
- The recovery period after surgery is very important. Be sure to follow the advice to avoid bending, lifting, and twisting .
- If you experience symptoms such as sudden loss of leg strength or loss of urinary/fecal control, immediately go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).
- This is nothing to be afraid of. Your medical team is always ready to help you. Ask them everything that is on your mind.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න