How does a surgeon treat a herniated disk?
The traditional surgical treatment for herniated disk is a diskectomy. In this procedure, a surgeon will cut away the portion of the disk over the spinal canal that is pressing against the nerve. At the same time, a surgeon may trim some of the bone from the backside of the vertebrae to relieve pressure on the nerves, a procedure called a laminectomy. In recent years, surgeons have developed a new twist on this approach. The troublesome part of the disk can be removed through a tiny incision with the use of a microscope, a procedure called a microdiskectomy. This technique seems to be just as effective as a standard diskectomy, but patients tend to recover more quickly. According to the Mayo Clinic, success rates for both diskectomy and microdiskectomy — measured by pain relief and patient satisfaction — reach about 80 to 90 percent. Having a herniated disk sounds serious — but it’s only rarely a true emergency. With care and time, the pain will usually disappear entirely. — Chris
