Disc Surgery
What is Disc Surgery?
There are a few different operations that alter the shape of the intervertebral disc ('discectomy') or replace it altogether. These are generally only recommend for those with slipped discs in the lower back (lumbar spine) that have occurred recently or suddenly and have not improved with non-surgical forms of treatment, like physiotherapy. Alternatively, disc operations may be performed semi-urgently if your doctor is concerned about your symptoms becoming worse or causing significant disability.
Discectomy involves accessing the spine then removing sections of the disc that are pressing on nerves. When large chunks of the disc are removed, or the entire disc needs to be replaced, the surgeon will need to put in place prosthetic material to keep the bones from resting on each other.
Disc operations can be very successful at relieving the symptoms of disc herniation, including pain and 'nerve symptoms' like tingling and weakness in the legs. However, disc operations should not be used to treat general back pain.