Preamble

Herniation of intervertebral discs is a common condition with up to 5% of the population experiencing symptoms of nerve irritation (sciatica) as a consequence of lumbar disc herniation.Lumbar disc herniation is a condition where the tears in the outer fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc (annulus fibrosis) allows the central portion to herniate through, compressing the nerve root .

Indications

Operative indications include: intractable pain, protracted symptoms and precipitous decline in function as a consequence of a worsening neurological deficit.

Diagnosis

A disc heniation can be diagnosed clinically with a focused clinical assessment but an MRI is often used to corroborate the diagnosis and as a preoperative tool should surgery be contemplated.

Non -Operative Treatment

This includes non-operative measures including: pain-killers, physical therapy and occasionally corticosteroid injections.

Risks

These include dural injury (fluid sac injury), infection, instability of the vertebral column and recurrence.

OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE

 

Post Operative Instructions

link to perioperative course discetomy