If you’ve been diagnosed with a herniated disc, then you may be wondering whether you’ll require surgical treatment. The good news is that very few patients with herniated discs need to undergo an operation to relieve their pain and discomfort. Instead, the vast majority of patients are able to quell their symptoms through the utilization of conservative, nonsurgical treatments, such as taking anti-inflammatory medications, attending physical therapy sessions, and making necessary lifestyle modifications (i.e. losing weight or quitting smoking). If nonsurgical treatments fail to relieve your symptoms after several weeks or months, then your physician may advise you to undergo an operation. Thanks to advancements in medicine and technology, you may be able to elect an endoscopic surgery that requires a far less arduous rehabilitation than an open spine surgery.

How is an Open Spine Surgery Performed?

To fully grasp the advantages of undergoing an endoscopic surgery, you should first have an understanding of how an open spine surgery is performed. During most open spine surgeries for herniated discs, a surgeon will:

– Make a large incision in a patient’s throat, neck, abdomen, or back that dissects musculature, ligaments, and other soft tissues

– Identify the affected disc and remove it in its entirety

– Fill the now-empty disc space with an intervertebral cage

– Attach the intervertebral cage to the vertebrae located directly above and below

– Install bone grafting material, which will eventually fuse the intervertebral cage to the adjacent vertebrae

Following an open spine surgery, most patients are required to spend several nights in the hospital. Recovery can require several weeks or months of arduous rehabilitation, and most patients are unable to resume their daily activities during this time.

How is an Endoscopic Surgery Performed?

While performing an endoscopic surgery for a herniated disc, a surgeon will:

– Make a small incision in a patient’s neck or back that is typically less than one inch long

– Gently push the muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues aside using a series of tubes, each slightly larger than the last

– Funnel a tiny camera and surgical tools through the tube

– Use a laser to remove the herniated disc material that is causing neural compression

Unlike an open spine surgery, an endoscopic procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and doesn’t require the dissection of any muscles or ligaments, or the complete removal of an intervertebral disc. Patients face far less arduous rehabilitations and most are able to resume their daily activities in a matter of weeks. Some patients even experience immediate relief from their chronic neck or back pain and discomfort.

Consult with Your Physician

If nonsurgical treatments fail to provide the level of relief you require, talk with your physician about undergoing endoscopic decompression surgery. Before you consent to an operation, you may want to receive a second or third opinion to ensure that surgery truly is necessary and to confirm that you’ve received an accurate diagnosis. If you’d like to learn more about endoscopic surgery for a herniated disc, make an appointment with your primary care physician or a spine specialist.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to endoscopic surgery.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to endoscopic surgery. http://www.lsiphysicianrelations.com/

Author Bio: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to endoscopic surgery.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: endoscopic surgery