Lumbar Microdiscectomy
Overview
A Lumbar Microdiscectomy, also known as a Minimally-Invasive Lumbar Microdecompression is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove overgrown vertebral bone and soft tissue to relieve the compression of nerve roots in the lumbar spine. It is performed through a small incision on the back.
Preparation
After anesthesia has been administered and the patient is positioned face down, the surgeon uses a portable x-ray machine to identify the diseased vertebral level or levels. Then, the surgeon makes the smallest possible incision in the skin directly above the target level.
Accessing the Vertebra
A series of dilators of increasing size are carefully guided down through muscles and soft tissue. The surgeon slides a tubular retractor over the dilators and removes the dilators, creating a working channel that leaves muscle tissue intact. This working channel allows the surgeon to access the target vertebra and painful nerve root in a way that minimizes incisional pain and scarring of the muscles.
Decompression
The surgeon may use a microscope or endoscope to direct surgical instruments through the working channel. Excess bone or ligament tissue is carefully removed from the space around the nerve root, relieving pressure and pain.
Completing the Microdiscectomy
The surgeon may then shift the working channel, repositioning the retractor so that it is directed at the other side of the vertebra. This allows the surgeon to access the opposite side of the vertebra without creating a new incision in the skin. The surgeon inspects and relieves any compression, ensuring that the nerve roots on both sides of the vertebra are completely free of obstruction.
End of Procedure and Aftercare
The instruments and the working channel are removed, and the incision is closed and bandaged. Most patients are discharged from the hospital the same day and can return to their usual activity level within a few weeks of surgery. The patient may take pain medication to relieve incisional pain, but usually this is needed for less than 1-2 weeks.
TYPES OF PAIN WE TREAT
GASTROINTESTINAL
EAR, NOSE AND THROAT
GENERAL HEALTH
Herniated Disk
Lumbar Radiculopathy (Sciatica)
Osteoarthritus of the Knee
Osteoporosis
Trigger Point Injections
Where Lower Back Pain Begins
Where Neck Pain Begins
Whiplash
Brain and Mental Health
Depression
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Post-Whiplash Headache
Stroke
Substance Abuse
Traumatic Brain Injury
Occipital Neuralgia (Arnolds Neuralgia)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Substance Dependence
Tension Headache
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Diabetes Conditions
Diabetic Foot
Hyperglycemia (High Blood Glucose) and Diabetes
Hyperglycemia (Low Blood Glucose) and Diabetes
Prediabetes
Diabetes (Type 2)
Diabetes Treatments
Diabetes and Foot Care
Diabetes and Exercise
Diabetes and Healthy Eating
Managing Type 2 Diabetes
Digestive and Urinary Systems Conditions
Heart, Blood and Blood Vessel Conditions
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Infectious Diseases
Lung Conditions
Asthma
Bronchitis
COPD
Emphysema
Medications
Opioids Medications
Opioids (Common Side Effects)
Opioids (Dependence and Addiction)
Opioids and Chronic Pain Management
Using Opioids Safely
Sleep Disorders
Insomnia
Restless Leg Syndrome
Sleep Apnea
Systemic and Genetic Disorders and Conditions
Anemia
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Overweight and Obesity
Head Non-Surgical Procedures
Botox Injections for Chronic Migraine
Peripheral Non-Surgical Procedures
Fascia Illiaca Block
Brachial Pleaxus Block
Femoral Nerve Block
Poplitea Fossa Block
Spine Conditions
Cervical Radiculopathy
Compression Fractures of the Spine
Facet Joint Syndrome
Herniated Discs
Lumbar Radiculopathy (Sciatica)
Myelopathy
Spinal Stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylosis
Where Lower Back Pain Begins
Spine Non-Surgical Procedures
Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection
Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection
Discography
Facet Joint Injections
Flouroscopic Guided Piriformis Injection
Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection
Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection (without contrast)
Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
Medial Branch Block (Cervical)
Radiofrequency Neurotomy of the Lumbar Facets
Sacrolliac Joint Steroid Injection
Stellate Ganglion Block
Spine Surgical Procedures
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Cervical Posterior Foraminotomy
Laminectomy
Laminectomy (cervical) with Fusion
Lumbar Disc Microsurgery
Lumbar Discoscopic Discectomy
Micro Endoscopic Discectomy
Minimally Invasive Lumbar Microdecompression
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Spinal Fusion (Lumbar)
Selective Endoscopic Disectomy
Foot and Ankle Procedures
PRP Therapy
PRP Therapy for Achilles Tendon Pain
PRP Therapy for Peroneal Tendonitis
PRP Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
Hip and Thigh Conditions
Sacroiliac Joint Pain
Hip Joint Injection
PRP Therapy
Ultrasound-Guided Illoinguinal Nerve Block
Knee Procedures
PRP Therapy
Flouroscopic Guided Steroid Injection for Knee Pain
Genicular Nerve Block
HYALGAN Injection for Knee Pain (Flourscopic Guided)
Visco-supplementation for Arthritis of the Knee