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Discectomy
What is a Discectomy?Partial disc removal surgery is performed when a substantial portion of the intervertebral disc has herniated out of position and is thought to be compressing a spinal nerve root. Although this is a common diagnosis, in actuality, it rarely occurs. Even when there is substantiated compression, most pinched nerves and sciatica conditions will resolve without treatment. Disc removal used to be far more common, but is still performed on many patients who have not been able to find relief from their chronic disc pain using more conservative modalities.Types of Disc RemovalThe traditional approach to disc removal is a full open spinal surgery often integrating a full laminectomy as well. This is a barbaric and completely antiquated surgical technique which is not advised. Full open disc surgeries feature the most risks and also demonstrate the worst curative results. This procedure has shown poor statistics for permanently healing disc pain conditions, regardless of location or exact diagnosis.Minimally invasive approaches are typically called microdiscectomy or microendoscopic disc removal techniques. These minimally invasive operations are less risky and do far less damage to healthy tissue. The recovery time is faster and the curative results are substantially better. However, disc removal, in general, still does not offer a very good hope for truly ending pain. Discectomy AdviceThe most common reason for any herniated disc surgery to fail is due to a misdiagnosis of the actual causation of the painful symptoms. As previously mentioned, herniated discs are the most common of all back pain scapegoats, so it is no surprise that disc related surgery fails more often than other procedures, which might be better indicated for treating their respective conditions.Even the least invasive methods of disc removal damage healthy tissues and create structural changes in the spine which can not be undone. In addition, every spinal surgery has the risk of causing permanent nerve damage, anesthetic related complications or even death. Compared to these possible outcomes, the high incidence of failed herniated disc surgery syndrome seems kind… As always, disc removal surgery should only be considered if and when all conservative measures have been attempted and only if you are 101% sure that the disc is indeed to blame for the pain. If not, you are setting yourself up for inevitable failure and are likely to suffer from continuing pain postoperatively. Do not allow any doctor to pressure you or frighten you into spinal surgery. The poor results speak for themselves… Remember, if you learn the facts about herniated discs, you will be less inclined to even consider a surgical intervention as a possible cure. 9/5/08 Revised 12/7/09
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