Question 1

how is a discectomy done?

Accepted Answer

Laminectomy: Most discectomies (lumbar) are performed through a laminectomy or laminotomy, when a posterior opening into the spinal canal is made to approach the disc.  It can also be performed through approaches such as anterior (cervical), depending on the location of pathology. Percutaneous and/or endoscopic approaches can be done, usually for less severe pathology.

Question 2

can a discectomy be reversed?

Accepted Answer

No: Diskectomy is a surgical procedure in which disk material is removed, usually to relieve spinal cord pressure (neck and mid back disks), arm pain (neck disks), or leg pain (mid and low back disks). It cannot be put back in later. There are disk replacement (neck and low back), but at this time they are all made of artificial (human made) materials.

Question 3

how will i know that my discectomy is successful?

Accepted Answer

Feeling better: You should feel better after dissectomy by 6 weeks from surgery.  Depending on how long you had an injury or if there was nerve damage the results can take longer and may not be perfect.

Question 4

what is the definition or description of: diskectomy?

Accepted Answer

Disc removal: Surgical removal of a disc.

Question 5

what is the definition or description of: discectomy?

Accepted Answer

See below: A diskectomy means to remove all or a portion of the intervertebral disk. Imagine the analogy of a jelly donut. The disk is comprised of a tough fibrous outer layer (donut) and a gelatinous inner layer. Disk herniations can occur when some of the jelly leaks out of the donut. A diskectomy is most commonly (but not always )when this herniated bit of disk (jelly) is surgically removed.

Question 6

could a percataneous discectomy make your disk stronger?

Accepted Answer

Discectomy: You do not make a disc stronger in a discectomy, you are actually removing the disc or the part of it that has herniated.

Question 7

how long must i restrict activity after discectomy with fusion?

Accepted Answer

Recovery: The less invasive surgery is, the faster the recovery and the less chance of complications.

Question 8

how long does it take to be able to exercise after a micro discectomy?

Accepted Answer

Recovery: The less invasive surgery is, the faster the recovery and the less chance of complications.

Question 9

what to do if i got discectomy exactly a week ago, should i be feeling better?

Accepted Answer

You should be better: Discectomy is used for sciatic type pain if in the lumbar region and arm pain in the cervical region. Those pains should be gone by now...surgical pain over incision may still be sore. Usually the radicular pain takes only a few days to show at least some improvement. Call your surgeon, get his or her opinion.

Question 10

is it ok to have pain 8 months after a discectomy? what kind of pain and what level is acceptable at this stage?

Accepted Answer

Yes and no: Back pain after surgery for disk problems is not uncommon. Microdiskectomy only deals with pain related to nerve compression (sciatica). It is not the intent of this surgery to treat back pain. If you are having pain, this could indicate degenerative disease, infection, instability, or inadequate surgery for the problem. All of these would need to be addressed by your operating surgeon.

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Doctor answers about:

Discectomy

A member asked:

How is a discectomy done?

A member asked:

Can a discectomy be reversed?

A member asked:

How will i know that my discectomy is successful?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: diskectomy?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: discectomy?

A member asked:

Could a percataneous discectomy make your disk stronger?

A member asked:

How long must i restrict activity after discectomy with fusion?

A member asked:

How long does it take to be able to exercise after a micro discectomy?

A member asked:

What to do if i got discectomy exactly a week ago, should i be feeling better?

A member asked:

Is it ok to have pain 8 months after a discectomy? what kind of pain and what level is acceptable at this stage?

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