What is Herniated Disc Surgery?

A herniated disk is a spinal (back) injury. You have a column of bones, known as vertebrae that make up your spine. Those vertebrae run from the base of your skull down to your tailbone. Between your vertebrae are round cushions called disks. The disks act as padding between your bones, allowing you flexibility and ease of movement. If one of these disks tears or leaks, it is then considered a herniated disk.

Who is a good candidate for Herniated Disc Surgery?

Most herniated discs are not treated with surgery. Symptoms will clear up on their own within days to weeks in about 9 out of 10. A few people with a herniated disc never find out that they have one, since they have no symptoms at all. Sometimes, however, the herniated disc will compress a nerve in the spinal column. Pain, numbness, or weakness can then occur in the area of the body where the nerve travels. A doctor should be consulted if the pain does not respond to conservative treatments, which include NSAIDs and physiotherapy. Surgery will depend on the level of the individual's pain and disability and may be recommended by the doctor. Roughly in 1 case in 1,000, a herniated disc might affect the nerves controlling the bladder and bowel. Surgery will be necessary to alleviate pressure on the nerves and restore bladder and bowel function. A patient may wish to seek treatment at an institution that employs a combination approach in the decision process concerning surgical interventions.

What is the procedure of Herniated Disc Surgery?

Herniated disc surgery aims to relieve pressure on the nerve, thus ending the pain and other symptoms.

Methods of relieving pressure on the nerve

There are three methods that a doctor would use to relieve the pressure on the nerve:

Open discectomy: An open surgery where the surgeon removes the herniated section of the disc.
Endoscopic spine surgery: It involves the use of a thin elongated tube, which is called an endoscope, to remove the herniated portion of the disc. The procedure would be minimally invasive and only tiny incision would be required. A small scar only would be formed and thus faster recovery.
Surgery on the core of the spinal disc: This involves the use of a small instrument by the surgeon to access the inner core of the spinal disc after which a vacuum is used in the removal of the inner core. Removal of the core shrinks the spinal disc hence relieving pressure on the nerve. This procedure is only possible when the outer, soft layer of the disc remains intact.

Other surgical surgeries for herniated disc are:

Laminotomy or laminectomy

Usually, lamina makes up the vertebra, covering and protecting the spinal canal. In some cases, surgeons have to extract some or all of the lamina to fix a bulging disc.

Removing some amount of the lamina is called laminotomy, whereas removal of all the lamina is termed as laminectomy.

Both procedures enter the body through a small incision down the center of the back or neck over the area of the herniated disc. The surgeon, then, removes part or all of the lamina to perform the discectomy and remove the herniated disc.

Laminotomies and laminectomies can be either lumbar or cervical:

Lumbar procedures: These help relieve leg pain or sciatic pain caused by the herniated disc in the lower back region.
Cervical procedures: These are going to benefit in relieving the pain in the neck and the upper limbs, which a slipped disc presents in the neck area.

Spinal fusion

After the laminotomy or the laminectomy, it may be required that a spinal fusion (SF) follows. A spinal fusion involves two bones being joined with screws.

Patients who have had an SF may complain of pain and do not feel like doing some movements that they could otherwise do.

It depends on the location of the herniated disc. In general, a lumbar laminotomy needs an SF.

Generally, cervical laminotomies need an SF if the surgeon operates from the front of the neck. The same procedures often need no SF if the surgeon works from the back of the neck. It depends on the exact location of the herniated disc where the surgeon decides to work from.

Some patients who are operated on through laminotomy will qualify for disc surgery artificially rather than an SF.

Artificial disc surgery

Artificial disc surgery is another procedure option other than spinal fusion. For ADS, the surgeon will substitute your troublesome disc with an artificial one.

Normally, a patient will attribute this procedure to being less painful and with lesser mechanical restriction as compared to SF procedures.

What is the risk associated with Herniated Disc Surgery?

Complications common to all surgeries include infection, bleeding, and nerve damage. If the disc is not removed, it may rupture again. If you have degenerative disc disease, you can develop problems with other discs.

How long does it take to recover from Herniated Disc Surgery?

Most people can be discharged 24 hours after surgery for herniated disc. In some cases, the patient can go home on the same day. Doctors tell people who have been operated for the disc herniation to avoid the following activities for about 4 weeks.

Driving
Sitting for a long time
Heavily lifting
Bending forwards

Some of the exercises can work well for the patients after surgery for the disc herniation. However, the patients should not attempt such strenuous exercise until and unless doctors or surgeons approve those.

Sometimes, doctors may advise patients to undergo rehabilitation therapy after surgery. Patients who carry out the rehabilitation course of treatment after herniated disc surgery may ensure a quicker recovery and have better movement.

What can I expect during recovery after Herniated Disc Surgery?

During the course of spinal fusion surgery, there will be some stiffness. This could be permanent in some cases.

Once you leave the hospital, your physician will provide you with discharge instructions that indicate when normal activity can be resumed and when exercise should be initiated. Some people will require physical therapy. It is crucial to adhere to your doctor's recommendation.

Generally, most patients do well after disc surgery, but no two cases are alike. Your personal outcome will depend on:

Details of your surgery
Any complication you might have had
Your overall health

What can I do to prevent future problems with my back?

Maintain a healthy weight to reduce your potential for future problems with your back. Always use proper techniques for lifting.Strong abdominal and back muscles support your spine, so be sure to include exercises for them in your workout routine. Your doctor or physical therapist can suggest appropriate exercises.

Why Tender Palm Super Speciality Hospital for Herniated Disc Surgery in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Hospital has the most experienced spine surgeons provides Herniated Disc Surgery in Lucknow, India. We provide advanced spinal care with modern surgical facilities and a medical team. Our focus on patients ensures safety, precision, and faster recovery. This makes us one of the best hospital for Herniated Disc Surgery in Lucknow, India.