Cervical Spine Posterior Discectomy Micro-discectomy medical legal animations

http://www.medilaw.tv Cervical Spine Posterior Discectomy Micro-discectomy medical legal animations. Illustrates the surgical technique for performing a posterior cervical discectomy, also known as a cervical microdiscectomy. This procedure is used to remove part of an intervertebral disc that is compressing the spinal cord or a nerve root. Also shown is the patient position, skin preparation and incision, the surgical approach, foraminotomy, the removal of the pathological disc material fragment and then finally wound closure.
Cervical Spine Posterior Discectomy Micro-discectomy medical legal animations.
A Posterior Discectomy, also known as a posterior foraminodiscectomy, is a procedure that removes part of an inter-vertebral disc that has herniated postero-laterally or posteriorly and is causing symptoms. Cervical disc herniations are very common and often do not cause any symptoms. An acute disc herniation can cause symptoms such as arm pain, numbness, pins and needles, and weakness. The size of the herniation is not related to the amount of arm pain or symptoms. Usually these symptoms will improve without surgery in six to twelve weeks. If the symptoms are not controlled after six to twelve weeks of conservative treatments, then your surgeon will consider operating.

A posterior discectomy aims to relieve pressure on the spinal nerve and reduce the resulting arm symptoms. A posterior discectomy can not repair the disc nor relieve the neck pain caused by a damaged disc. A disc can only heal over time by forming a scar.

INDICATIONS
The indications for a posterior discectomy are persisting arm pain, paresthesia or pins and needles, numbness or weakness, that has been shown by physical examination, radiography and spinal injections to be due to spinal nerve compression, and that has not responded to six weeks of conservative treatment. If there is severe muscle weakness, or severe pain that is not controlled by strong pain relievers, your clinician may recommend immediate surgery to relieve the symptoms.
Cervical Spine Posterior Discectomy Micro-discectomy medical legal animations.
ALTERNATIVES
The non-surgical alternatives to posterior discectomy may be
- activity modification
- weight loss
- aerobic exercise, such as walking, cycling, and swimming
- strength and flexibility exercises
- physical therapy
- hydrotherapy
- heat and cold pads
- acupuncture
- pain-relieving medications such as acetaminophen or paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucosamine, chondroitin, steroid and local anesthetic injections

The surgical alternatives to posterior discectomy may be
- surgical fusion
- disc replacement surgery, or arthroplasty

BEFORE
Before the posterior discectomy
- a doctor will perform a medical examination and any necessary tests to ensure that your general health will permit an anesthetic to be given and the procedure to be performed
- you will be advised when to stop any medications that will increase your bleeding risk ie aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, anti-coagulants, vitamin E, glucosamine and some herbal medicines (chamomile, danshen, garlic, gingko, dwvil's claw, ginseng, fish oil, willow bark, feverfew, goji berries)
- you may be admitted into the hospital on the day before or on the morning of the procedure
- don't eat or drink anything for six hours before the procedure
- wear loose-fitting clothes that are easy to take off and put on. Do not wear any jewelry.
- before the procedure, the skin on your neck will be cleaned and you will be given a general health check. The skin on your neck may be shaved.
- an intra-venous line will be placed in to a vein in your arm to administer fluid and medications
- you may be given a sedating medication to make you drowsy before being given your anesthetic
- you will be given a general anesthetic that will put you to sleep
- let your doctor know if you develop a fever, cold or flu symptoms before your scheduled procedure
Cervical Spine Posterior Discectomy Micro-discectomy medical legal animations.

GOALS
The goals of a posterior discectomy are to remove the parts of the disc that are pressing on the spinal nerves, while maintaining spinal stability, motion and alignment. This should decrease arm pain, weakness and numbness.

TECHNIQUE
You will be lying on your front. Your neck will be cleaned. An incision will be made in the middle of the neck. The overlying muscles will be moved to the side. Your surgeon will confirm the position of the correct vertebra for the procedure by using x-ray imaging. The lamina and facet joint overlying the intervertebral foramen will be detached, in a process called a foraminotomy. The spinal nerve will be gently moved to the side, and any disc compressing the nerve removed, a process called a discectomy. The muscles will be replaced, and the wound closed with sutures. Cervical Spine Posterior Discectomy Micro-discectomy medical legal animations.

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• Cervical
• Spine
• Posterior
• Discectomy
• Micro-discectomy
• medical
• legal
• animations