What is a slipped disc?
A slipped disc is where the spongy centre of a disc bulges out and puts pressure on a nerve where it leaves your spine (see figure 1).
This can cause severe pain, as well as weakness and numbness in the area that the compressed nerve supplies. For a disc in your lower back (lumbar disc) the symptoms are felt down your leg and into your foot.
What are the benefits of surgery?
The aim is to relieve the pressure on the nerve so it can recover. Your symptoms should improve and this should help you to get back to your normal activities.
Are there any alternatives to lumbar microdiscectomy?
For many people, symptoms get better without surgery.
If you have a lot of pain, you can also have a steroid injection.
There are relatively new procedures that use lasers or heat treatment. There is little evidence to show how effective or safe these procedures are.
What does the operation involve?
Various anaesthetic techniques are possible. The operation usually takes 45 minutes to an hour.
Your surgeon will make a cut on the centre of your back. They will use an operating microscope to remove the disk.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Unsightly scarring
- Infection of the surgical site (wound)
- Blood clots
- Difficulty passing urine
- Chest infection
- Heart attack or stroke
2 Specific complications
- Continued pain or numbness down your leg
- Numbness between your legs, loss of normal bowel and bladder control and, for men, problems having an erection
- Neuropathic pain
- Tear of the thin membrane that covers the nerves in your spine
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home the same day or the day after.
Do not lift anything heavy or twist your body. Make sure you keep a good posture when sitting and walking.
Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.
9 in 10 people make a good recovery from surgery and are able to return to normal activities.
Acknowledgements
Author: Mr Richard Ashpole FRCS (Neuro. Surg.) and Miss Maria Cartmill FRCS (Neuro. Surg.)
Illustrations: Copyright © 2012 [[SYMBOL:Neurodesign]]. All rights reserved. www.neurosurgeon.co.uk and Medical Illustration Copyright © 2013 Medical-Artist.com
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Last updated:
June 2015
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