Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Your spinal discs play a vital role in dispersing stress and ensuring the spinal complex can remain flexible and mobile, but they can wear down or shift out of place as a result of acute or repetitive stress. When a spinal disc can no longer handle the stress it is under, the soft inner nucleus can break through the fibrous outer layer, causing disc material to irritate nearby structures like spinal nerves.

Sometimes a herniated disc can heal with the help of conservative means, while other times it needs to be removed and replaced with an artificial disc. However, there is also a sort of surgical middleground that addresses the herniation and preserves more of the natural disc. This procedure is known as a microdiscectomy, and in today’s blog, we explore how and why the surgery may be performed.

Understanding The Microdiscectomy Procedure

The microdiscectomy procedure is a minimally invasive procedure that aims to provide immense relief from discomfort caused by a herniated disc. Unlike more invasive procedures like a spinal fusion or an artificial disc replacement, the microdiscectomy only removes a small portion of the offending disc. By only removing the problemed portion of the disc that is compressing nearby spinal nerves, you’ll achieve significant pain relief, maintain more spinal mobility and recover faster than if you had pursued more invasive procedures.

There are three main types of microdiscectomy procedures, and your surgeon can walk you through which technique may be right for your situation.

• Midline Microdiscectomy – During a midline microdiscectomy, the surgeon will make a small 1-2 inch incision along the spine and use special instruments to maneuver around the muscles and soft tissues in the area in order to carefully shave down and excise part of the damaged disc.
• Tubular Microdiscectomy – A tubular microdiscectomy involves the insertion of a series of small tubes through a small incision to create a tunnel or corridor through a spinal muscle so that the surgeon can view the damaged disc. This ensures there is less disruption to the nearby soft tissues.
• Endoscopic Microdiscectomy – With an endoscopic microdiscectomy, a centimeters-long incision is made, and specialized tools including an endoscope are inserted into the space. The endoscope has a tiny camera attached to it, allowing the surgeon to visualize the spinal cavity without making a larger incision. Using special instruments, the surgeon can then use the video relay to assist in the removal of a portion of the shifted spinal disc.

Oftentimes a microdiscectomy can be completed in as little as 30-60 minutes, although you’ll need some time in a recovery room to allow the effects of anesthesia to wear off. Most patients return home the same day as surgery or the following day, armed with over-the-counter or prescription pain medications and some individual advice from their treating surgeon.

Generally speaking, significant rest is recommended for the first week or two following a microdiscectomy procedure. Patients typically begin some regular physical therapy exercises around the 2-3 week mark, and they are back to most normal daily activities by about six weeks post-op.

For more information about the microdiscectomy procedure and how we can help you overcome a bulging or herniated disc, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

Comments are closed.