Discectomy Treatment

A damaged or herniated spinal disc can send sharp, radiating pain down the legs, making standing or sitting unbearable. When the damage compresses spinal nerves, it can cause weakness or numbness in your hip, thigh, leg, or foot. When these symptoms resist conservative care, a discectomy can alleviate pain and restore function and mobility.

What Is a Discectomy?

Discectomy is a type of spine surgery that involves the removal of all or part of a spinal disc that compresses a nerve root or the spinal cord, causing pain and reduced mobility.

Discectomy surgery can be performed on the lower back, mid-back, or even the neck. A lumbar discectomy focuses on the lower spine and is most commonly used to treat slipped or herniated discs in the mid to low back, while a cervical discectomy treats similar disc herniation in the neck.

In many cases, discectomy can now be performed as a minimally invasive procedure with robotic assistance, allowing for greater precision, less disruption of surrounding tissue, and a smoother, faster recovery.

When Is Discectomy Recommended?

Your orthopedic surgeon may recommend a discectomy when persistent neck, arm, back, or leg pain, numbness, or weakness have not improved with at least 4 weeks of nonsurgical treatment, such as physical therapy, medications, or injections. Discectomy surgery is most often considered for a herniated disc that compresses spinal nerves and limits your ability to walk, work, or perform daily activities.

To confirm whether discectomy surgery is the right treatment, your surgeon may order diagnostic testing such as an MRI, CT scan, or a myelogram to clearly identify the source of your symptoms.

How is a Discectomy Performed?

Discectomy surgery can be performed as traditional open surgery or as a robot-assisted, minimally invasive procedure using small incisions and advanced tools. This less invasive approach enables greater precision and causes less disruption to healthy tissue. Robot-assisted discectomies often lead to shorter hospital stays and faster recoveries, and can be performed on an outpatient basis.

A discectomy is normally performed under general anesthesia and usually takes about an hour, depending on your specific case. Most patients are treated on an outpatient basis, though some may stay overnight. In some cases, discectomy surgery can be performed in an outpatient surgery center.

What to Expect After a Discectomy

Recovery from discectomy surgery will depend on your specific case and treatment, but most patients can expect a full recovery within 8 weeks. Many people awaken from surgery with complete resolution of their leg pain, but it’s not unusual for the pain to dissipate more slowly.

In every procedure we perform, we strive to provide comprehensive care pre- and post-surgery. Following a discectomy, our specialists provide you with a personalized treatment plan that may include pain management and outpatient physical therapy. Post-surgery, it is essential to avoid heavy lifting as well as bending or twisting your back until your surgeon clears you for strenuous activity.

Cervical and lumbar discectomy surgeries have a high rate of success in relieving symptoms.

Risks and Considerations of Discectomy

As with any surgery, a discectomy carries some risks. Your surgeon will review the risks with you in detail and explain how advanced techniques — including minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures — are used to lower complication rates and support a smoother recovery.

Why Choose Hoag Orthopedic Institute for Discectomy Surgery

At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, you’ll find a team of board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeons who specialize in discectomy as well as the most complex spine surgeries. Using the most advanced techniques and technology, they treat a wide range of conditions affecting the back, neck, and spine. Our specialists personalize every step of your care, from preparing for discectomy surgery through to your recovery.

When conservative care no longer provides relief, our spine doctors will provide accurate diagnostics to determine the best back pain treatment for restoring your mobility and achieving lasting pain relief. If you need an expert spine surgeon dedicated to helping you live a healthy and more active life, please contact us online or call us at (949) 705-6493 today.

We help you get back to you®.