When to get Lumbar microdiscectomy for your back pain?

Lumbar microdiscectomy is one of the most common back surgeries being performed these days due to it’s high success rate and low chance of complications. However, this surgery should not be performed on every patient with back pain but only after careful evaluation by the doctor. In this article we have discussed some of the factors that determine whether or not lumbar microdiscectomy is required for your condition.

What is lumbar microdiscectomy?

Lumbar discectomy is an invasive surgical procedure performed on an intervertebral disc that has been damaged by degenerative changes, herniation, or a disc tear. The surgeon removes part of that disc and repositions it in order to reduce pressure on a spinal nerve or spinal cord. This creates more room for a herniated segment of disc and can relieve symptoms in some cases. It also allows enough space for blood vessels and nerves in your spine to heal over time if they have been compressed. 

If you’re experiencing chronic leg pain caused by compression of nerves, lumbar discectomy may be an option in order to help you manage those symptoms without resorting to more extreme treatments such as surgery or epidural steroid injections.

What are the symptoms of lumbar disc herniation?

This is a typical complaint of patients with herniated disc in low back. Patients complain of severe low back pain, buttock, and thigh pain that extends down into one leg. Back muscles spasms may be present and radiating leg pain is also common. Standing or walking aggravates the symptoms. The patient may have difficulty getting out of bed or performing any activity that involves bending forward such as picking up objects from floor, squatting etc. There is no fever or urinary tract infection associated with lumbar disc herniation.

Microscopic anatomy of intervertebral disc

The intervertebral discs consist of three layers: The anulus fibrosus, or ‘fibrous ring’; a central mass called nucleus pulposus, or ‘nucleus’; and an inner, gelatinous layer known as endplate. The disc is surrounded by a thin membrane called epineurium. Separate from it but connected through ligaments are surrounding vertebrae.

Causes and risk factors

The most common cause of L5-S1 disc herniation is due to a large degenerated disc. It causes a bulging protrusion of disc material into one or more levels of an individual's spinal column. The risk factors include age, genetic predisposition, and obesity. Disc tears can also be caused by repeated bending or twisting (e.g., lifting something heavy) when there is a bulge in intervertebral discs that are already weak from aging and degeneration or from injury.

Imaging evaluation

For some patients with midback (thoracic) or lower-back (lumbar) disc herniation, imaging studies such as MRI and CT scan are an important part of treatment planning. These imaging studies can help answer questions about nerve root compression and spinal instability, identify other degenerative conditions in your spine, and offer information on disc morphology. 

When choosing which study is right for you, it’s important to consider whether there are any specific questions that need answered during evaluation. For example, if you have experienced numbness into one or both legs and/or weakness in one or both legs, then an MRI of your lumbosacral spine might be helpful.

Surgical treatment options

According to a recently published study, approximately 14% of Americans suffer from low back pain, one of the most common reasons for visiting a health care provider. Fortunately, there are several different surgical options available to treat it. One of those is called lumbar microdiscectomy. If you’re currently suffering from lower-back pain and wondering if surgery is right for you, here are some details about Lumbar microdiscectomy in Coimbatore that can help you decide whether or not it’s something you should pursue.

Post-surgery care tips

Recovery from a lumbar microdiscectomy isn’t easy. Surgery itself is rarely life-threatening, but it can be pretty debilitating. It's imperative that patients follow their surgeons' post-surgical instructions carefully; after all, they know what’s best. However, there are some steps patients can take on their own as they recover and prepare themselves for surgery . 

The following tips will help you feel better faster and get back to living your life in no time: 

Stay active: If you're not already an active person, now might not be the time to start but if you do work out regularly, keep doing so! Exercise helps reduce inflammation while strengthening muscles around damaged areas. This means fewer complications down the line. As long as you don't experience any new or worsening symptoms during exercise, keep going!

Common recovery risks

Potential risks of Lumbar Microdiscectomy are similar to that of any other spinal surgery, so patients need to consider factors such as overall health, age, past medical history and medications. If you’re on blood thinners or steroid drugs, have a heart condition or any other serious medical conditions, chances are you should talk with a surgeon before considering going under the knife. Other risks specific to lumbar discectomy include blood clots (which can be fatal), infection or nerve damage. Your surgeon will go over all these possible complications before surgery and let you know how much risk is involved.