What Is A Spinal Discectomy?

We speak with Mr Likhith Alakandy, consultant neurosurgeon at Ross Hall Hospital, about having a discectomy. A discectomy is a type of surgery that helps relieve pain caused by a herniated disc in your spine, which can take the pressure off your nerves and help significantly reduce pain. Links: For more information on having a discectomy, please visit: https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/treatments/discectomy https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/specialities/spinal-surgery To find a consultant near you, visit: https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/find-an-appointment Chapters: 00:18 – 00:46 - What is a discectomy? 00:46 – 01:04 – What is a slipped or herniated disc? 01:04 – 02:20 - How can a slipped disc happen? 02:20 – 02:45 – What are the most common symptoms of a slipped disc? 02:45 – 03:26 – Do you always need surgery to treat the problem? 03:26 – 03:45 - Can a slipped disc heal itself? 03:45 – 04:32 – How can I prepare for a discectomy? 04:32 – 04:41 - Will you have general anaesthetic during surgery? 04:41 – 05:54 - What happens during surgery? 05:54 – 06:04 - How long does surgery take? 06:04 – 09:05 - How long does it take to recover? What is a slipped disc? Your spinal discs are soft areas of tissue that act as cushions between your back bones (vertebrae), which are the bones in your spine. A herniated disc, commonly known as a slipped disc, means one of these has moved from its correct position. A slipped disc can press on nearby spinal nerves, causing symptoms including: • Neck or back pain • Buttock, hip or leg pain (also known as sciatica) • Numbness or tingling in your shoulders or back, legs and feet or hands and arms • Reduced muscle strength in these same areas • Problems bending over or standing up straight Do I need a discectomy? Most people with a slipped disc will not need surgery to fix the problem. Often a herniated disc will heal naturally, aided by rest and perhaps anti-inflammatory medicines, steroid injections or muscle relaxers, or painkillers. Some people might also need a course of physiotherapy. Preparing for a discectomy the right way There is no specific preparation before you have surgery on your spine, however your consultant and their team will want you to be as healthy as possible, which is the best way to encourage a good recovery. We might ask you to do a few things to improve or maintain your general health. We might teach you some gentle exercises to do at home, give you some tips on healthy eating and staying hydrated, and, if you're a smoker, we'll ask that you stop - at least in the runup to your operation. You might be asked to stop taking certain medications, which can cause risks during surgery. But unless we tell you to, you can carry on with your usual medications. As you are having general anaesthetic, you won't be able to eat or drink before the operation, usually for around eight hours. It's a good idea to do some simple prep to make your house ready for you when you get home after surgery, too. Stock up on easy meals, remove potential tripping hazards, and arrange for someone to check in on you regularly for a week or two after your operation. What happens during a discectomy? Surgery to correct a herniated disk is done under general anaesthetic, which means you will be asleep the whole time. A discectomy typically takes around one hour, however if you are having more than one procedure during your operation, for example a spinal fusion or laminectomy in addition to your discectomy, your surgery could last significantly longer. Spinal surgery can either be performed using open surgery, which uses a relatively large incision to gain access to your spine or minimally invasive techniques. Minimally invasive spinal surgery uses a small incision and can offer benefits compared to open surgery, but it won't be appropriate in every situation. Your surgeon will begin your discectomy by making a small incision over the area of your spine where the herniated disk is located. You might also hear the term 'lumbar microdiscectomy', which is where the operation is performed using a minimally invasive technique. Once your surgeon has gained access to your spine, they will remove the part of the disc that has been pressing on the nerve. Your surgeon will now close your wound, usually with dissolvable stitches, and cover it with a dressing. Consultant details: Mr Likhith Alakandy is a consultant neurosurgeon at Ross Hall Hospital. Learn more about his expertise: https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/consultants/likhith-alakandy To see how Ross Hall Hospital can help you, visit: https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/hospitals/ross-hall-hospital If you have any of the symptoms outlined in this video, seek professional medical help as soon as possible. Do you want to hear more about other spinal conditions? Leave a comment below and we will plan future videos on suggested topics. #discectomy #spinalsurgery #spinalpain