Discectomy Surgery: Complications To Be Aware Of

People suffering from a herniated disc know just how painful of an injury it can be. A discectomy is often the surgical procedure used to treat a herniated disc when that pain becomes too much to bear. However, discectomy surgery, like other surgical procedures, does carry some potential complications to be aware of.

This article will take a look at discectomy surgery, potential complications that can arise, and minimally invasive surgical alternatives. If you are considering getting a discectomy to help treat a herniated disc, the experienced neurosurgeons at Florida Surgery Consultants in Tampa, Florida can help answer any questions you have and determine if surgery is right for you.

What is Discectomy Surgery?

Discectomy surgery, also known as diskectomy or decompression surgery, is used to remove herniated disc material and relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.

A surgeon performs a discectomy surgery by first making a large incision in the back, about six inches long. The muscles of the back are then pulled away from the bone in a process known as retraction, allowing the surgeon better access to the herniated disc.

A laminectomy may be performed alongside a discectomy by removing a small piece of bone (lamina) from the spine, giving the surgeon a better view of the affected area. The herniated disc material that is pressing on the nerve root or the spinal cord is then cut away and removed before the patient is stitched back up.

Traditional discectomy surgery is an open surgery and is performed under a local anesthetic. Patients will typically be required to stay in a hospital overnight to watch for potential postsurgical complications.

Conditions That Can Benefit From Discectomy Surgery

Both traditional discectomy surgery and microdiscectomy surgery are used to treat people who are experiencing pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling in the back, legs, or arms, caused by a herniated disc.

A herniated disc does not necessarily mean you need to get surgery. People often find that their symptoms can be treated through non-surgical options, such as rest, pain medication, or physical therapy.

But, patients who have failed to achieve significant relief from their symptoms after six to twelve weeks of nonsurgical treatment may benefit from a discectomy procedure. Microdiscectomies have been shown to be a safe and effective treatment option when nonsurgical intervention has proven ineffective.

Potential Complications After A Discectomy

As with any surgical procedure, there are inherent risks of complications with a discectomy surgery. Surgery is performed under a local anesthetic which also carries some risks, such as:

Breathing problems
Low blood pressure
Seizures
Slowed heart rate

Complications from discectomy surgery, especially a microdiscectomy, are extremely rare but you should always be aware of the risks you are taking before undergoing surgery. Surgery is usually not recommended unless the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks.

BLEEDING

It should come as no surprise that bleeding is a potential complication from surgery. Fortunately, most patients who undergo a microdiscectomy procedure experience very little bleeding. Usually no more than a teaspoon worth of blood.

Surgeons are very careful to instruct patients to avoid taking any medications that act as blood thinners for at least a week before surgery. Smoking and alcohol should be avoided in the weeks leading up to surgery as well. They can increase the risk of bleeding during surgery.

Patients with preexisting bleeding disorders are at greater risk for bleeding complications during or after surgery.

INFECTION

Contracting an infection during a surgical procedure can pose a serious health problem, especially during spinal surgery. Modern surgeons understand just how risk an infection can be and are hyper-vigilant about maintaining a sterile and hygienic surgery room in order to avoid infection.

Infections developing from discectomy surgery are extremely rare, but they can arise. Some patients may be more likely to develop an infection than others for various reasons. If you have a condition or take medication that makes you more prone to developing an infection, be sure to disclose this information with your doctor before your procedure.

NUMBNESS

A herniated disc can cause numbness to develop in the back and radiate down the arms or legs. Some patients may not even be aware of the numbness until being evaluated by a doctor. For most patients, this numbness is resolved shortly after undergoing a discectomy procedure but others may experience a lingering numbness.

Pain relief from a herniated disc is almost immediate following surgery while the lack of feeling caused by the ruptured disc may last for days, weeks, or even months. This is usually due to damage to the nerve from the herniated disc and may take up to a year to fully recover. If sensation has still not returned a year after your surgery, be sure to contact your surgeon for a post-surgery consultation.

NERVE DAMAGE

Discectomy surgery involves cutting away damaged disc material that is pressing on nerves in the spine and causing pain. Because this procedure is performed so close to a nerve, there is a risk of nerve damage developing if the procedure goes wrong.

Nerve damage can lead to hyper-sensitivity around the nerve. This means that you may be extremely sensitive to pain from even a slight touch in the area. The good news is this is very rare and should go away with time or can be helped by a steroid injection to reduce inflammation around the damaged nerve.

Experienced neurosurgeons are comfortable performing surgeries around nerves and are the best qualified to repair any damage that may happen to a nerve. Your surgeon will thoroughly review the images of your herniated disc to determine how close a nerve they will need to operate and what is the best way to perform the surgery without complications.

SCARRING

Patients who undergo a traditional discectomy surgery may develop more scarring than patients who undergo a microdiscectomy. The large incisions needed to perform an open discectomy can leave scarring of the skin, muscles, and soft-tissue. Microdiscectomies, on the other hand, use a very small incision and therefore leave minimal scarring.

CSF LEAK

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is an extremely rare complication that can arise from damage to the nerve. CSF fluid is fluid produced by the brain that coats the brain, spinal cord, and nerves and protects them from damage.

The dura mater or outermost layer of tissue around the nerve and spinal cord can be punctured by a herniated disc or during surgery, causing CSF fluid to leak out. Fortunately, experienced neurosurgeons are able to repair a CSF leak without much trouble.

PARALYSIS

Discectomy surgery does carry the risk of paralysis. Like most spine surgeries, there is the risk of the spinal cord being damaged during surgery, leading to some form of paralysis or weakness in the torso or limbs.

The chances of paralysis developing are very low though, especially during a microdiscectomy procedure. Be sure to discuss any concerns about paralysis with your surgeon before surgery. An experienced neurosurgeon will be able to look at the imaging of your herniated disc and tell you if you are at a greater risk for paralysis.

Why Microdiscectomy Is A Better Option

Unlike traditional discectomy surgery, microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive procedure. The operation is performed using specialized tools inserted into the back through a small incision. This allows a surgeon to access the herniated disc and remove damaged material with less damage to the muscles and soft tissue of the surrounding area.

Another benefit to microdiscectomy is that it carries less risk of surgical or post-surgical complications. However, there are still risks involved in a microdiscectomy. Patients who opt to get a microdiscectomy experience faster recovery times than patients that undergo traditional discectomy surgery.

Other benefits of microdiscectomy compared to traditional discectomy surgery include:

Less bleeding during the procedure
Lower risk of infection
Less pain experienced after surgery
Less rehabilitation is needed after surgery
You can return to work and resume normal daily activities faster
Less scarring

Microdiscectomy procedures performed at Florida Surgery Consultants are performed in an outpatient center. This means patients are able to go home the same day as their surgery. Please arrange for someone to drive you home from the outpatient center, however, as you will not be allowed to drive home just like other surgical procedures.

Schedule A Surgical Consultation

If you have been suffering from pain, numbness, or weakness caused by a herniated disc and nonsurgical treatments have proven ineffective, it may be time to consider surgery. Procedures, such as a microdiscectomy, can help alleviate pain, increase range of motion, and improve body function.

The board-certified neurosurgeons at Florida Surgery Consultants have years of experience diagnosing and treating patients with a variety of spinal issues. Ready to be living a pain-free life again? Schedule a surgical consultation today by calling us at (888) 411-6824 or fill out the form on the right side of the page to get started.