Lumbar Microdiscectomy

This is a surgical video demonstrating a lumbar microdiscectomy operation performed through a 2 cm incision on the back for treatment of a herniated lumbar disc. For more neurosurgical videos visit www.neurosurgeryblog.com.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• lumbar disc
• spine surgery
• lumbar discectomy
• microsurgery
• pinched nerve
• sciatica
• neurosurgery
• back pain
• back surgery

[napes99]

I have just decided to go for the op after years of pain, not a decision I took lightly. I have lower back pain that spreads right down my left leg.  Will the op help with just the sciatica or will it also ease my lower back pain?

[chudmaster101]

@ocdpdrummer711 , I will have the micro discectomy before the end of the year. I was hoping to hear how you are doing now that it must be 8 months since your operation. Any info on your operation and your recovering would be great to hear. Thank you kindly...

[nivlac456]

Dr. Pakzaban performed an L4-5 procedure in 2004. I was told that 3% of all herniations will nerniate again. I fell into that 3%, and just recently had my 2nd L4-5 procedure on 9-13-2011. A different surgeon performed this procedue, because I now live somewhere else. I can only hope this is the last time. Back pain sucks. I do like the music DR.- Calvin B.

[SSthemagicviolin]

That is one hell of a herniation. I happened to be a very unlucky teen with this condition and everybody tried to scare me about the surgery. It wasn't half as bad as everybody said it was and now, two weeks later, I'm totally fine! I have no idea why I wasted a year of my life in pain..

[Blondie5983]

After having a pain free year with my back, it returned just over a month ago with a vengance and just kept getting worse to the extent that I couldnt move. I was taken into hospital , told I had a severe water infection as well as a large disc L3/4 . I was advised had to be removed to make me safe. The disc was going to cause severe nerve damage. I would be incontinent both ends, at 31 this was a no brainer . Had the op, and im so happy to have my life back.. DO IT!. Holly

[bluemanor]

had this surgery done a month ago for a herniation that was giving me debilitating sciatic pain, foot drop, leg weakness and numbness. The surgery completely removed all that pain! Back itself still sore, but much better than it was.

[1981JamieD]

I have had this surgery, it changed my life. I could barely move, the disc had detached and wrapped around my sciotic nerve. It was horrid for 4 months, I couldn't drive without balling. The leg pain was gone as soon as I was out of surgery. Recovery was under a month, 5 days of bed rest, taking it easy.

[lostinusa09]

Comenting teh surgery would be more helpful. The music is still misplaced

[dhide14]

How long does pain remain AFTER this surgery? WHen will I feel "normal" again?

[MarkoWezep]

@SarahLG3 Your disc consists out of a rigid membrane filled with gel-like pulpa. Once the membrane is damaged and the pulpa is coming out, you are having a hernia. Only removing the pulpa that causes the pain is useless, because the membrane is still damaged. That's why they remove the whole disc, once the disc is damaged repair is less effective than removal.