The spinal column is made up of a series of bones that are known as the vertebra. It stretches from the base of the skull to the pelvic region. Within this column is the spinal cord, which serves to relay messages to and from the nerves to the brain.
To keep the vertebra from rubbing against each other, discs come between each bone. They also act as shock absorbers. An issue with these disks may cause discomfort or pain. The most frequent site for these types of problems is the lumbar region, which is commonly referred to as the lower back.
If we diagnose that your complaints emanate from the discs in the lumbar vertebra, we may recommend lumbar disc surgery or discectomy. In most cases, surgery is carried out if other interventions fail to produce the desired results in set time frame.
You should consult with your doctor about having lumbar disc surgery if your symptoms are so severe that:
Your doctor may discover one of the following conditions that could make you a candidate for lumbar disc surgery.
Spinal fusion creates one bone out of two by a process like welding. This limits the movement that caused pain.
Lumbar decompression is the removal of a bit of bone to relieve pressure on the nerve, allowing it to heal. Common types of decompression are microdiscectomy and laminectomy.
Infections are rare after surgery. It usually occurs in the incision area, but sometimes it can go deeper and spread to other sections. If your surgical wound becomes hot, red, inflamed, and takes longer to heal, it has an infection. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
Risks associated with anesthesia; most surgical procedures require anesthesia before the procedure can be carried out. The most common type is local anesthesia. It is usually administered by injecting the drug around the surgical area to make it numb. However, if the surgery is extensive and more complex, general anesthesia is used.
With general anesthesia, you are put to sleep completely during the whole process through intravenous lines. Most spinal surgeries require general anesthesia, and some people might develop problems with it. This could be due to reactions from the drugs used or even from other underlying medical conditions. Before going for surgery, make sure to discuss potential complications with the anesthesiologist.
Complications may include:
Before the surgery, you can take several steps to make sure the process goes more smoothly.
After your surgery, there are many steps you should take to ensure your recovery is smooth and safe.
Our orthopedic specialists, Dr. Hessing, Dr. Applonie, and Dr. Johnson, are here to help if you are in pain from an injury or dealing with a chronic condition.