Discectomy is the most common surgical treatment for ruptured or herniated discs of the lumbar spine performed by our orthopedic surgeons. When the outer wall of a disc, the annulus fibrosus, becomes weakened, it may tear allowing the soft inner part of the disc, the nucleus pulposus, to push its way out. Once the inner disc material extends out past the regular margin of the outer disc wall, it can press against very sensitive nerve tissue in the spine. The disc material can compress or even damage the nerve tissue, and this can cause weakness, tingling or pain in the back area and into one or both legs. Open discectomy uses surgery to remove part of the damaged disc and thus to relieve the pressure on the nerve tissue and alleviate the pain. The surgery involves a small incision in the skin over the spine, removal of some ligament and bone material to access the disc and the removal of some of the disc material.
Not all patients with herniated discs are candidates for the open discectomy procedure. Most people find pain relief with nonsurgical treatments such as rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and epidural injections. However, sometimes the pain does not respond to these therapies and may require a more aggressive intervention.
Currently, spine surgery is undergoing a revolution in the way certain surgeries are performed. When applicable our surgeons perform discetomy arthroscopically, that is, through a smaller incision using specialized tools with local anesthesia.
