What is Discectomy?

Discectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the damaged portion of a herniated disk in your spine. A herniated disk can irritate or compress nearby nerves. Discectomy is most effective for treating pain that radiates down your arms or legs.

Why it’s done?

Discectomy is performed to relieve the pressure a herniated disc places on a spinal nerve. A herniated disk occurs when some of the softer material inside the disk pushes out through a crack in the tougher exterior.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How you prepare?

You will need to avoid eating and drinking for a certain amount of time before surgery. If you take blood-thinning medications, you may need to adjust your dosing schedule before surgery. Your doctor will give you specific instructions.

What you can expect?

Surgeons usually perform discectomy using general anesthesia and during the procedure, small amounts of spinal bone and ligament may be removed to gain access to the herniated disk, relieving the pressure but leaving most of the disk intact. If the entire disc is to be taken out, the surgeon may need to fill the space with a piece of bone, which is taken from a donor or from the pelvis or a synthetic bone substitute. The adjoining vertebrae are then fused together with metal hardware.

After surgery, you're moved to a recovery room where you are kept under observation for a certain period of time. You may be healthy enough to go home the same day you have surgery, although a short hospital stay may be necessary — particularly if you have any serious pre-existing medical conditions.

When can I return to work?

Depending on the amount of lifting, walking and sitting your job involves, you may be able to return to work in two to six weeks. If you have a job that includes heavy lifting or operating heavy machinery, your doctor may advise you to wait six to eight weeks before returning to work.