All You Need To Know About Lumbar Microdiscectomy

A minimally invasive surgical procedure called lumbar disc microsurgery is performed to treat lumbar disc herniation. The lumbar disc and the nerves that are near it are readily visible thanks to a specialized microscope used in this procedure. The surgeon can see the tissues more clearly and have greater access to the lumbar disc thanks to the enhanced view provided by this microscope. The benefit of using this minimally invasive surgical method is that the nearby structures sustain little damage.

Causes of Lumbar Microdiscectomy

Usually, conservative therapies like rest, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injections are performed first, and lumbar disc microsurgery is only a possibility if these therapies are ineffective after six weeks for the patient. Although lumbar microdiscectomy is thought to be a highly effective lumbar spine treatment that can quickly reduce pain, surgery is not always necessary.

The primary reason for lumbar microdiscectomy is to treat lumbar disc herniation-related discomfort. It is occasionally done to treat a separate issue called a ruptured lumbar disc. An intervertebral disc injury or cumulative wear and tear that causes it to protrude outside the confines of the spinal column results in a herniated disc, a frequent ailment. The disc's outer layer, the lamina, may fracture and break open if the pressure on it is high enough. A ruptured disc is the medical term for this issue.

Procedure for Lumbar Microdiscectomy

Prior to the procedure, the patient's agreement is secured, and either local or general anesthesia is given to the patient. An antiseptic solution is used to clean the surgery site, and sterile drapes are used to cover it.

Directly above the vertebra where the prolapsed lumbar disc is located, a tiny incision is created. Instruments are placed through this incision to reach the herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. When doing so, it might be necessary to remove a little portion of the vertebra called the lamina in order to access the discs. Laminectomy is the medical term for removing a lamina.

After this part is finished, the nerve fibers can be seen and gently shifted to one side. This makes it possible to see the herniated lumbar disc clearly. The herniated portion of the disc is removed, together with any remaining pieces. The remainder of the disc is kept in place and continues to operate normally.

Following the removal of the instruments, a straightforward bandage is used to close the wound. The patient is kept under observation for a little while, maybe overnight, and is then sent home.

After-care following Lumbar Microdiscectomy

The patient is recommended to stand up and walk as soon as feasible following a lumbar microdiscectomy. Prescribed medicine is used to treat postoperative pain. Since the underlying nerve discomfort has been removed, the patient typically feels significantly better than they did before the surgery once the post-operative pain has subsided.


Physical therapy provided to patients during rehabilitation helps them regain their strength and flexibility and lowers the likelihood that their back pain will return. Patients can typically resume their employment in 2 to 4 weeks, while jobs requiring physical labor may require twice as long to recuperate after surgery.


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Advantages of having Lumbar Microdiscectomy

  • Better cosmetic results can be achieved with minor skin incisions—sometimes as little as a few millimeters.

  • Blood loss decreases following surgery.

  • Muscle damage is less likely to happen since less or no muscle cutting is necessary.

  • This treatment has the advantages of decreased scarring, decreased infection risk, and decreased surgical pain.

  • Compared to recovering from other surgical procedures, recovering from surgery takes less time and effort.

  • Following surgery, there is a decrease in dependence on painkillers.


Please keep in mind as you read this that each patient will experience their own unique therapy and final results. Results could differ. The potential negative risks of spinal surgery include complications like infection, blood loss, and bowel or bladder issues. For a complete list of indications, warnings, precautions, adverse events, clinical outcomes, and other crucial medical information, please see your lumbar spine specialist in Coimbatore.


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