Microdiscectomy vs. Spinal Decompression: How are They Different?

We’ve all been there. We promised to help our best friend move into their new home this weekend. The move went well, but you wish the same for your achy back on Monday morning.

We all have our weekend warrior moments. About 80 to 90% of people in the United States have back pain sometime in their lives. But when your back pain keeps you from working or doing everyday tasks, finding relief is all you can think about. 

If you are one of the 16 million adults who suffer from chronic back pain, this scenario is all too familiar. In this blog, Neil Bhamb, MD, a fellowship-trained minimally invasive spine surgeon and renowned cervical artificial disc replacement expert, shares his insights on spinal decompression and a microdiscectomy procedure.

Why back pain happens

The spine is an amazing mechanical marvel, featuring 33-stacked vertebrae working in unison with 100 joints, 220 ligaments, 120 muscles, and 31 pairs of nerves that weave through the openings of those vertebrae.

When your spine is in tip-top shape, it seamlessly performs two crucial roles: it supports your musculoskeletal system by providing structure and enabling pain-free movement and links your brain and spinal cord.

Common enemies of a healthy spine

While the spine performs flawlessly, many conditions challenge its health and function. Common enemies of a healthy spine include:

• Spinal instability caused by a sedentary or inactive lifestyle
• Being overweight or obese, which imbalances your natural curves, affecting proper posture and weight distribution 
• Improper lifting techniques like lifting with your back, not your legs
• Poor posture, which puts you at a higher risk of back and neck pain
• Degenerative disc disease, causing conditions such as a herniated disc

Microdiscectomy and spinal decompression

If you or someone you know experiences back pain, you are aware that the condition is not only painful but can be debilitating. Movement without pain can seem impossible, and sometimes, depending on the causes of the pain, even sitting can be uncomfortable. Fortunately, treatment options are available to get you back to feeling more like yourself again.

If you’ve been seeking treatment, you’ve likely heard the medical terms spinal decompression and microdiscectomy. While both treatments accomplish the same result, relieving pain by releasing pressure on nerves along the spinal cord differ from each other.

Spinal decompression, also known as a laminectomy, relieves pressure on the nerve by removing part or the entire bony arch of vertebral bone, called the lamina. In contrast,

a microdiscectomy relieves pressure on the nerves when the culprit is spinal disc tissue, specifically with conditions like herniated or bulging discs.

At our practice, Dr. Bhamb and our professional team are committed to taking a holistic approach to spine health and addressing spine problems with the most minimally invasive treatments available. We perform microdiscectomy as a minimally invasive surgery while the patient is under general anesthesia.

Dr. Bhamb cuts a small incision in the spine directly over the damaged disc and inserts a tiny lit microscope to view the treatment area better. He inserts tiny surgical instruments into the incision and removes the portion of the damaged disc tissue that’s pressing on the nerves. Then, he also removes a small portion of bone covering the root nerve if needed.

We perform microdiscectomy as a minimally invasive surgery, whereby the incision is much smaller than open surgeries and rarely requires stitches. But that’s not the only benefit of less tissue damage. Less trauma also means a faster recovery, reduced pain, and a shorter hospital stay.  

 When discharged, Dr. Bhamb sends you home with a post-op plan to help you navigate the first couple of days after surgery and how to gradually resume daily activities, such as returning to work, driving, lifting, and exercising. Although it may take several months to recover fully, most patients can return to work and other activities within four to six weeks after surgery.

If you’re suffering from chronic back or neck pain, contact us to discover the treatment options available to relieve your pain. Call us today or book your appointment online at our Santa Monica or Century City, California, office.