A herniated disc can cause compression of a spinal nerve leading to pain, sensory changes, or weakness of an extremity. When non-operative measures fail to relieve symptoms, surgical intervention may be indicated.
A lumbar microdiscectomy is a surgical procedure done to remove part of a herniated disc that is causing leg symptoms. This is to treat a ‘pinched nerve’, and is done by minimally invasive techniques that allow a surgeon to access the herniated disc fragment with minimal muscle and soft tissue disruption.
There are many advantages to a microdiscectomy when compared to a traditional discectomy. Innovative techniques minimize the extent of tissue disruption, reduce post-operative pain, and significantly reduce the healing time.