Microdiscectomy also known as microdecompression is a spine surgery. The surgery is typically used to relive pain from a pinched nerve caused by a herniated or bulging disc in the lower back. Disc material or small portion of bone hitting a spinal nerve root is removed to relieve severe low back pain.
The surgery in essence un-pinches the nerve that was being compressed by a disc herniation or bulge. The pinched nerve then has room to heal and hopefully work properly again.
When is microdiscectomy surgery a good idea?
Microdiscectomy is typically performed for a herniated lower back disc. It is often more successful in relieving leg pain (known as radiculopathy) from a pinched nerve than general low back pain. Often after a trauma, like a car accident, people experience radiculopathy.
Symptoms of radiculopathy in one of both legs include:
- Shooting pain
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Foot pain
- Foot numbness
- Leg weakness
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
Here’s video showing a visual of how a microdiscectomy is performed.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it may indicate a bulging or herniated disc has been suffered as a result of the trauma or car accident. You should consult with your doctor as soon as possible.
