The most common treatment for a lumbar herniated disc is an invasive procedure, such as lumbar discectomy or spinal decompression. In many cases, the symptoms associated with a lumbar herniation are so disabling that it is difficult to return to work, or to enjoy life to the fullest. Lumbar herniation can be extremely painful, especially when it comes time to get up after sitting down for prolonged periods.
What Causes a Lumbar Herniated Disc?
A herniation is when one or more discs, located deep in the back, begin to bulge forward, or “hernia”. If lumbar symptoms don’t improve after six months of non-invasive therapy, lumbar surgery can be considered. Generally, only a very small portion of the affected disc needs to be surgically removed, with the remainder remaining intact.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery for Lumbar Herniated Disc
The most common surgical treatment for lumbar problems is spinal decompression. This method involves taking small pieces of disc tissue from a lumbar herniation and placing them into a pouch that lies between the vertebrae. This procedure will help to restore the range of motion of these discs, allowing them to move back in the spine, making it easier for the patient to get up and sit down again.
In some cases, minimally invasive surgery may prove to be the best option. In this type of surgery, the surgeon makes smaller incisions, which means they are more precise at finding the source of the problem. One of these smaller incisions is made on the exterior surface of each disc. The physician then inserts a tiny titanium rod into the disc, which can cause minimal disruption of its internal lining.
When using this type of surgery, the patient may be able to go home a day or two after the surgery. They are usually monitored to make sure that they don’t have any complications. The surgeon can then take x-rays to see how well the surgery went.
In order to determine the best treatment for a lumbar herniated disc causes pain, the doctor may ask the patient to wear a specially designed device that measures their pain. the pressure points, such as their lower back.
Other Treatment Options
Depending on the severity of the pain and the location of the pain, there are many treatment options. Some of these treatment options include physical therapy, a lumbar massage, or even a special lubricant that can be used on the affected area to help ease the symptoms.
The benefits of this type of treatment far outweigh the risks and complications of any minimally invasive surgery. While these techniques do require the use of anesthetic or local anesthesia, the recovery process is usually fairly short and doesn’t require any major issues.
Many patients choose to have disc surgery to treat their herniated disc pain. These people find that this type of procedure is more effective than other forms of treatment because it allows them to get back to doing all the things that they enjoy the most.
If you or someone you know has a lumbar herniated disc, then the chances of recovery time being much longer or even not being as effective are very high. While the procedure can be done in less than an hour, you should expect recovery to take several days, weeks, or months.
When you decide to have disc surgery, it’s important to discuss your options with your doctor. and to discuss how the procedure will affect your future medical care and activities.
The more you prepare, the more you will understand the risks and complications of the procedure. Be sure to discuss all treatment options with your doctor so you can make an informed decision about whether this procedure is right for you.
Talk to a specialized minimally invasive neurosurgeon at MINT today to know more about how you can treat a lumbar herniated disc with the help of advanced medical technologies!
