What is Microdiscectomy?

Spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, disc herniation, and other such spinal conditions lead to spinal nerve compression. The compression of the spinal nerve roots leads to neck and/or back pain, with symptoms that radiate into the lower and/or upper body and extremities. Dr. Salari performs the groundbreaking, minimally invasive microdiscectomy in Morristown, to decompress the nerve roots and spinal cord, thus alleviating the symptoms of nerve compression.

Microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive spine surgery wherein specialized instruments, such as a surgical microscope are used to decompress the pinched nerve roots and spinal cord. The surgeon uses sequential tube dilation to spread the muscles around the spinal cord to access the diseased disc and vertebrae. Furthermore, the surgery is performed via an extremely small “band-aid” incision with the help of a robotic microscope, so the post-treatment downtime is minimal.

The Necessity of Microdiscectomy

Microdiscectomy is generally meant for patients with disc herniation, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and other spinal conditions that cause nerve compression. These spinal conditions pinch or compress the spinal nerves or nerve roots, leading to neck and/ or back pain, with radiating symptoms that spread into the lower body and legs or upper back and arms. Nerve compression also causes weakness, numbness, tingling sensations, and other neurologic symptoms.

However, it’s worth highlighting that microdiscectomy is generally reserved as a last resort solution. Your surgeon will recommend microdiscectomy if all non-operative solutions and treatments fail to yield the desired results or if the symptoms of nerve compression continue worsening. The onset of neurologic dysfunction, such as loss of function and numbness, indicates that microdiscectomy or decompression surgery might be necessary.

man in need of a microdiscectomy morristown

Benefits of Microdiscectomy:

  • Performed via an extremely small incision, generally only 16-18mm
  • Sequential tube dilation ensures minimal muscle and soft tissue disruption
  • Minimal loss of blood during the procedure
  • Minimal post-treatment pain and discomfort
  • Minimal hospital time and recovery period

Your Microdiscectomy Surgery

Dr. Salari generally will perform your discectomy in Morristown under general anesthesia. After your back is cleansed, the surgeon makes a small dime-sized incision on the skin to guide the special microsurgical instruments through. The surgery is performed under fluoroscopy guidance, so the surgeon can visualize the internal components of your back on a computer screen. The surgeon uses a microsurgical retractor and narrow tubes to spread the soft tissues around the spinal column, thereby accessing the underlying structures.

The surgeon makes a small bone window to access the pinched nerve within the spinal canal. After shifting the pinched nerve to the side, essentially un-pinching the nerve, the surgeon shields it using specialized tools. The diseased or herniated disc is removed completely, or the ruptured parts of the disc are removed, depending on your unique condition. The nerve is probed to ensure there are no other problems, and the incision is closed with absorbable sutures.

After the microdiscectomy surgery, you are moved into the recovery room, where you are monitored by the medical team. Most patients can return home the day after the procedure, but some patients are hospitalized longer. Your surgeon will also provide specific guidelines for your pain medications, diet, and recovery. You must follow his instructions precisely to ensure a smooth, safe, and speedy recovery without complications.

Contact Dr. Salari for Microdiscectomy

Dr. Ben Salari is the leading board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery in New Jersey. He always performs thorough diagnostic scans to trace the root cause of your problem and curate personalized treatment plans. He always starts your treatment with non-operative solutions and progresses to minimally invasive surgery if your neurologic symptoms continue worsening.

For more information about decompression and microdiscectomy in Morristown, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Salari at our state-of-the-art offices in Morristown, Hackettstown, Sparta, and Randolph in New Jersey.

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