Surgeries for ruptured disc is rarely needed however there are cases where surgery is the only option but this happens in about ten percent of patients suffering from ruptured disc. If all conventional methods of treatment fails and there is no improvement at all within three to six months of conventional treatment then that is the time that doctors will recommend surgery.
Surgery for ruptured disc is usually recommended before six months to avoid any permanent damage of nerve if the condition is ignored and not treated. Surgeries is performed to relieve the patient from any pain and discomfort as well as to let the patient experience normal movement again. Diagnose of such condition can be done through the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), myelogram or a Computed Tomography (CT).
There are different procedures of ruptured disc surgeries and listed below are the different procedures;
Laminectomy
This surgery is used to eliminate the lamina on some of the vertebrae. If there is thickening tissue in the spinal canal then it will also be removed.
Discectomy
This procedure involves removing the ruptured disc that is putting pressure on a nerve root or spinal canal. This is one procedure that is most successful for those who suffers pain despite the use of conventional treatment for ruptured disc.
Laminotomy
Is a minimally invasive procedure for ruptured disc. Since it is minimally invasive it can be done in an outpatient setting and does not require a general anesthesia. This is done to take away the pressure in the spinal canal for the spinal cord and nerve roots. The process involves increasing the space in the affected area thus neural tissue is freed releasing the affected nerve.
Surgery aftercare is important too thus it is vital that you follow your doctor’s instruction. Minimally invasive surgery is much better since patients gets to recover fast and is able to go back to its normal activities in just a short time.