Whether you’ve suffered an injury or are experiencing normal wear and tear from aging, your spinal discs can become damaged. A microdiscectomy can be used to rectify injured or failing discs in cases where conservative, non-surgical treatments have not been successful.
A microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that eliminates pressure on a nerve root or the spinal cord by removing any offending disc material. This procedure eliminates pain and restores mobility to the affected area of the spine that was affected.
If conservative treatments have failed to provide relief for your painful spinal disc condition, you may be a candidate for microdiscectomy.
People who need a microdiscectomy often experience the following conditions:
If you are seeing the results you need with your current non-surgical treatments, you may not be a candidate for a microdiscectomy. Most patients who receive this treatment have been experiencing pain for a minimum of six weeks with no results from conservative treatment.
During a microdiscectomy, the surgeon makes a one-inch or smaller incision to access the problematic disc. Surrounding muscles and tissues are gently moved rather than cutting through them, making this surgical treatment less traumatic than a traditional open back discectomy. Most microdiscectomy procedures can be completed in one hour and patients can go home within a few hours.
Surgeons and patients alike prefer a microdiscectomy to other more traditional options because:
If you are experiencing pain from a damaged spinal disc, seek treatment sooner rather than later. See if you qualify for a microdiscectomy by trying our candidacy checker tool below.
After a microdiscectomy, you can expect to recover over 6–8 weeks, but everyone heals differently. Here are some things you can expect:
Our expert spine specialists at ISSI will be there for you every step of the way to help ensure you have a healthy and successful recovery.
Q: How long does microdiscectomy surgery take?
A: This surgery takes about 1-2 hours to complete. The total time is usually closer to 2 hours because patients are given general anesthesia and need time in the recovery room.
Q: How can I sleep after microdiscectomy surgery?
A: Sleeping on your back or side can be comfortable and safe after a microdiscectomy, but you can take steps to make both positions more supportive:
On your back. Use a pillow to support your head and neck, and prop your knees up with another pillow so they’re slightly bent. This can relieve tension in your lower back. Keep your arms by your side to avoid straining your neck and cervical spine. You can also try elevating your upper back and shoulders with a pillow.
On your side. Bend your knees to keep your spine naturally aligned. You can put a pillow between your knees to support your spine, pelvis, and hips. You can also try resting your legs on top of each other, or have your top leg slightly forward. To keep from rolling out of this position, you can put a pillow behind your body and tuck it under your back and hips. If you’re side-sleeping, you can also try alternating sides
Q: When can I drive after a microdiscectomy?
A: Most people can drive again 2–6 weeks after a lumbar microdiscectomy, but it depends on the size of the operation. You should be able to sit comfortably in the driving position and make an emergency stop without pain before driving. You should also avoid driving if you still need narcotic pain medication or have noticeable leg weakness or numbness.
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