What Is Lumbar Microendoscopic Discectomy
A microdiscectomy removes a disc herniation (herniated disc) to relieve pressure on an adjoining nerve. This procedure allows for shorter hospital stays (mostly outpatient), smaller scars – 18 mm, quicker return to work and normal activities, and less post-operative pain – no muscle cutting.
- Lumbar discectomy is the #1 procedure performed on the spine in the United States each year.
- About 250,000 Americans have surgery to relieve herniated discs annually.
- 70 percent to 80 percent of patients requiring herniated disc surgery are candidates for this procedure.
Facts About Herniated Discs:
- A herniated disc is a condition in which the outer portion of the vertebral disc is torn, enabling the inner portion to herniate or extrude through the fibers. The herniated material can compress the nerves around the disc and create pain that can radiate through the back and sometimes down the arms (if the herniation is in the cervical spine) and legs (if the herniation is in the lumbar spine).
- The herniated disc material is similar to crab meat in constitution. During surgery, generally only the disc material compressing the nerve will be removed, and most (95%) of the intervertebral disc material is left in place.
- Disk herniation is most often the result of a gradual, aging-related wear and tear called disk degeneration. As you age, your spinal disks lose some of their water content. That makes them less flexible and more prone to tearing or rupturing with even a minor strain or twist.
- Most people can’t pinpoint the exact cause of their herniated disk. Sometimes, using your back muscles instead of your leg and thigh muscles to lift large, heavy objects can lead to a herniated disk, as can twisting and turning while lifting. Rarely, a traumatic event such as a fall or a blow to the back can cause a herniated disk