The majority of people diagnosed with a herniated disc will not have to be subjected to surgery.  Those that pass the qualifications for a surgery will be given surgical options.  The more traditional open back surgery is not as common today because of the risks involved, as well as the longer recovery time and hospitalization requirement.

The non-traumatic surgeries available for people require a less invasive incision.  Because of this, the recovery time is almost immediate and requires no hospital time.  In fact, most people will go home the same day and will only require a band-aid over the incision.

Herniated Disc – Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy

In this procedure, a local anesthetic is given to the patient.  A small incision will be made for a round Depuy Tube.  As the tube is inserted, the muscles will be pushed out of the way.  In a traditional surgery, these muscles would have been cut or torn.  This tube will help to prevent damage to the surrounding muscles.

A laser, camera, suction, irrigation, and other surgical instruments will be inserted through this tube.  The laser will vaporize the disc material, which will reduce pressure on the spinal cord or nerve.  Relief will generally be felt as the pressure is taken off of the nerve.   The tube will be removed, and the muscles will move back into their original place.

This herniated disc procedure will take from 30 to 45 minutes.   Recovery time is usually less than two hours. The patient will be able to leave as long as there is someone to drive him/her home.

Herniated Disc – Endoscopic Cervical and Lumbar Discectomy (Laser Spine Surgery)

Endoscopic laser spine surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that only requires a local anesthetic.   A small metal tube is inserted into the area where the herniated disc has ruptured.  With the help of an X-ray and a camera, a large piece of disc material will be vaporized with a laser.  This will kill the pain nerves inside the disc and harden the disc to prevent more leakage of the disc material.  These two types of laser spine surgery are similar, yet they do have some minor differences.   One of these differences is the size of tube that is used.  A cervical discectomy will require a 4mm in diameter tube, while a lumbar will require a 3mm in diameter tube.  Both surgeries have a high success rate and are highly recommended as opposed to the traditional open back surgery.

Herniated Disc Laser Spine Surgery Postoperative Care

The majority of the patients will feel relief from pain immediately following the procedure.  Patients are allowed to get up and walk the same day.  They can be released from the hospital within one to two hours.

Muscle relaxants may be prescribed for those who experience lower back muscle spasms.  These muscle spasms can last for a few days after the procedure.  A patient may also use heat and a light massage for these muscle spasms, if needed.

The majority of the people who are diagnosed with a herniated disc are not in need of surgery.   Only about 10% of people diagnosed with a herniated disc will need to seek surgical options to relieve their pain.    The purpose for herniated disc surgery is to decrease the pain and allow the patient to move and function as normally as possible.

A doctor will consider the following before he/she makes a decision to operate:

1. Is there still continual leg pain that has not improved over a four week period of nonsurgical treatment?
2. Do the results of the physical examination currently show there is weakness, loss of motion, or abnormal sensitivity?
3. Does the diagnostic testing from an MRI, CT or Myelogram show that there is a herniated disc that can be treated surgically?

Other factors that will be taken into consideration before a decision for surgery is made:

• Age
• Overall health
• Severity of symptoms
• The impact symptoms have on patient’s life

Traditional Open Back Surgery (Traumatic)

Traditional open back surgery is an option that is slowly becoming less and less used as technology is becoming more advanced.  However, while there are other options for surgery, they may not be as effective for a patient’s needs.  For example, the option of disc surgery is not performed if the only symptom of the herniated disc is low back pain.

Disadvantages of Traditional Open Back Surgery (Traumatic)

• High risks
• Hospitalization
• Long and painful recovery time

Non-Traumatic Herniated Disc Surgery

The non-traumatic approach to remove herniated disc material is generally an outpatient surgical procedure that only requires a local anesthesia.  A small specially designed probe is inserted between the vertebrae and into the herniated disc space through the skin.   An x-ray fluoroscopy and a magnified video are used for guidance.

Traumatic Verses Non-Traumatic Discectomy

It is obvious that the non-traumatic discectomy is what is best for the patient.  There is less recovery time in a non-traumatic surgery because the incision is not as invasive.  There are no stitches needed.  After the probe is taken out, a band-aid will be placed over the incision.

In a non-traumatic discectomy, there is no bone removal or back muscle dissection.   The risk of complications is reduced dramatically.  There is less of a chance for scarring, blood loss, infection, and anesthesia related risks in a non-traumatic discectomy than in a traumatic discectomy.

Types of Non-Traumatic Discectomy

There are a variety of different non-traumatic herniated disc surgeries.  Many different doctors will offer different types of non-traumatic herniated disc surgeries.  They are considered non-traumatic as they do not require hospitalization and they are minimally invasive and have fewer risks than open discectomy.   There is the laser spine surgery and the Lumbar Endoscopic Discectomy, as well as the very common Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy.

It is recommended that a person research all options.  However, the non-traumatic has proven to be the best route to take.   Technology advances have made it possible for patients to endure herniated disc surgery without severe pain.  Check into all the options before making a decision.