Herniated discs are common in the lumbar spine, but they may also occur in the cervical spine near the neck. If your discs have degenerated with time and ruptured, you may require herniated disc surgery. Depending on the location of your herniated disc, you may require a different surgical procedure.
. Microdiscectomy: This procedure is common for herniated lumbar discs. Microdiscectomies remove the herniated portion of a disc underneath the nerve root to give it more space, relieve pressure and promote root healing.
. Discectomy: A discectomy is common for herniated cervical discs. Surgeons remove disc material through the front or back of the neck and fuse the disc space to take pressure off the spinal cord and nerve roots.
According to one study, the success rate for a herniated lumbar disc surgery was 78.9% among 39,048 patients. This same study reported a 94% long-term success rate for patients undergoing herniated cervical disc surgery.
An additional disc herniation may occur directly after back surgery or many years later, although they are most common in the first three months after surgery. If the disc does herniate again, a revision microdiscectomy will generally be just as successful as the first operation.
Is herniated disc surgery worth it?
Doctors usually consider surgery to remove the offending disc — a discectomy — if the pain continues for six weeks. But some patients who’ve had the surgery say it wasn’t worth it. And sometimes the pain of a herniated disc later gets better without surgery.
Your doctor might recommend surgery as an option for your herniated disc if: Your symptoms have lasted at least 6 weeks and make it hard to do your normal activities, and other treatments haven’t helped. You need to get better quickly because of your job or to get back to your other activities as soon as possible
Is surgery for a herniated disc dangerous?
There is a slight risk of damaging the spine or nerves. All surgery has some risks, including bleeding, infection, risks from anesthesia, and death. There is a chance that the surgery won’t relieve your symptoms.
What happens if you let a herniated disc go untreated?
An untreated, severe slipped disc can lead to permanent nerve damage. In very rare cases, a slipped disc can cut off nerve impulses to the cauda equina nerves in your lower back and legs. If this occurs, you may lose bowel or bladder control.
Can you walk after herniated disc surgery?
Getting up often to walk around will help lower the risk that too much scar tissue will form. Many people are able to resume work and daily activities soon after surgery. In some cases, your doctor may suggest a rehabilitation program. This may include physical therapy and home exercises
Is walking good for herniated disc?
What Kind of Exercise to Do When You Have a Herniated Disc. You don’t need to endure an intense cardio program or lift heavy weights—simple stretching and aerobic exercises can effectively control your herniated disc pain. … Moderate aerobic activities, including walking, biking, and swimming, also help relieve pain.
Is herniated disc a permanent disability?
Herniated discs are actually quite common. … If your herniated disc causes you continuous, long-lasting pain, then you may be eligible for monthly financial assistance through the Social Security disability benefits program. Herniated discs in the neck and back can qualify for benefits if your symptoms are severe enough.
Can you get paralyzed from a herniated disc?
So when a herniated disc occurs in the mid back it can be extremely serious. In severe cases, the pressure on the spinal cord can lead to paralysis below the waist. Fortunately, herniated discs are not nearly as common in the thoracic spine as in the low back or lumbar spine
Can a chiropractor fix a herniated disc?
Even if you only have lower back pain, your chiropractor will examine your neck, too, for example. … To treat a herniated disc, your chiropractor will develop a treatment plan that may include spinal manipulation—also known as adjustments—and other chiropractic techniques to help ease your herniated disc symptoms
Can I make a herniated disc worse?
The pain from a herniated disc usually is worse when you are active and gets better when you are resting. Coughing, sneezing, sitting, driving, and bending forward may make the pain worse. The pain gets worse when you make these movements because there is more pressure on the nerve.
Can a herniated disc heal after 2 years?
Fortunately, most people with a herniated disk never get to the point that they need to see a specialist or have advanced testing. Back symptoms usually go away on their own. Even for those who do need treatment, only a small minority has lingering chronic pain that does not resolve over time
