How Microdiscectomy Relieves Back Pain

You’re not alone if back pain is causing you to visit the doctor’s office or call out from work. Back pain has the dubious distinction of being the No. 1 cause of disability worldwide.

For many people who experience back pain, the symptoms are short-lived. The pain subsides after a week or so with at-home care of rest and over-the-counter pain medications. But what are your options if you suffer from chronic back pain and are hesitant about back surgery? 

You may want to consider a minimally invasive procedure called microdiscectomy, says Neil Bhamb, MD.

Your back and pain-free movement

Here, we explain the central role your back plays in your ability to move freely and painlessly. Most of us don’t spend time thinking about what our back enables us to do until we get injured or suffer from a sprain or strain.

A healthy, fully functioning back performs two important roles: it provides support and structure for your body and allows you to bend and move freely. While doing these two important tasks, it’s also protecting the spinal cord, the complicated system of nerves that travels down your back. The spinal cord communicates between your brain and the rest of your body, enabling you to control movement.

Your back can’t do any of these tasks well or painlessly unless it’s healthy and in tip-top shape. The anatomy of your spine includes 24 separate bones called vertebrae, the sacrum — a triangular bone — and the coccyx or the tailbone. Under normal circumstances, the flat, round discs between the 24 vertebrae act as shock absorbers for your spine.

Herniated discs and back pain

For many people suffering from back pain, a problem with the discs, called a herniated disc, is the issue. Herniated discs are a top-ranking cause of back pain, leg pain related to sciatica, and neck and arm pain.

Although a herniated disc can develop anywhere along the spine, they are common in the lower back and neck. Often called slipped, ruptured, or bulged discs, a herniated disc results from trauma or an excessive strain that pushes a disc out of place. The disc then presses on nerves or the spinal cord, causing pain.

Natural aging and wear and tear can also become a perfect storm for a herniated disc as the jelly-like substance breaks down over time. The situation can get irritated by ligaments that anchor discs in place, waning with age.

Microdiscectomy: a minimally invasive option for chronic cases

Most patients suffering from a herniated disc use non-surgical treatments to ease symptoms and can see results transpire slowly over a few days to several weeks. Non-surgical treatments may include rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain medication, physical therapy, or steroid injections.

When non-surgical treatments fail to relieve back pain or if you experience weakness, numbness, or tingling in your legs or arms for over six weeks, discussing surgical options with your doctor is prudent.

At our practice, Dr. Bhamb, a fellowship-trained minimally invasive spine surgeon, is committed to taking a holistic approach to spine health. Addressing spine issues in the most minimally invasive manner is a tenet of our practice. For herniated disc issues, we help our patients using microdiscectomy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure.  

Dr. Bhamb performs microdiscectomy under general anesthesia, with the patient remaining unconscious during the surgery. With the patient positioned face-down, Dr. Bhamb makes a small incision directly over the damaged disc and inserts a compact, special-lighted microscope to guide the surgery.

During the surgery, Dr. Bhamb removes the damaged herniated disc tissue that’s pressing on the nerves and triggering the pain. Dr. Bhamb can remove a small portion of bone covering the root nerve if required.  

Since the incision used in microdiscectomy is much smaller compared to open surgeries, microdiscectomy rarely requires stitches. Plus, microdiscectomy uses a more direct way to access the surgical site and conduct the surgery. These characteristics yield a shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery, less risk of surgical complications, and reduced post-surgery pain. Many patients are discharged on the same day or within 24 hours.

Generally, patients can resume normal activities within four to six weeks after the procedure, but full recovery may take several months. If you suffer from back pain and want to know if microdiscectomy is a viable option for your back pain, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Bhamb at our Century City or Marina Del Rey office. Call or book your appointment online today.