Most patients who suffered herniated disc do respond to conventional medication thus does not really need surgery. Medical records show that only ten percent of people who suffer from herniated disc have undergone surgery. Surgery is primarily done to lessen pain and to restore mobility and function. If you experience the following then surgery should be considered.
- If you have undergone non-invasive method and still fail.
- If you are experiencing constant pain in the leg that does not go away for a month, feel weak and interferes with you daily activities.
- If testing and all physical examination shows abnormal sensitivity, weakness and immobility.
- If your MRI and Computed Tomography show that you have herniated disc and have a high chance if treated surgically.
Surgery is only done for patients who are diagnose to have herniated disc and of course for those who after undergoing non-surgical treatment and yet their condition still didn’t improve. It would be best if you discuss it thoroughly with your doctor and know all about your options as well as the risk of having the surgery. Know too the expected results if ever you go for surgery. As much as possible ask all your questions and get as much information as you can.
There are different surgery choices that you should know. Check below the types of surgery.
Discectomy. This type of surgery is often use for ruptured disc or bulging disc. It removes disc that pushes on the nerve root. This may be effective for those people who suffer from severe pain due to herniated disc.
Percutaneous Discectomy. The procedure involves inserting a special tool through a small cut in the back and eliminate the disc herniated tissue hence lessening the disc size. This type of surgery is less effective than the first one that is why it is not highly recommended to use these days.
Laminectomy and Laminotomy. This is done to ease pressure on the spinal nerve roots that is bring about by age-related changes in the spine. Laminectomy eliminates all of the Lamina as well as the thickened tissues that are thinning the spinal canal. Laminotomy eliminates part of the narrowed part of the vertebrae.