Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
Purpose
How to Prepare
Day of Surgery
Recovery
Theresa Chiechi / Verywell
What Is Surgery for a Herniated Disc?
If you have low back pain,sciatica, or cervical radiculopathy, a herniated disc may be causing your problem. This occurs when the gel material inside a spinal disc pushes out of place and compresses a nerve. This is also known as a bulged, slipped, or ruptured disc.
Typically, herniated discs occur in adults, so children are not considered for this procedure. Most often, the procedure is performed as an elective planned operation. In severe cases of spinal nerve compression causing acute paralysis, an emergency surgery may be performed.
There are different types of surgery for herniated discs. These include:
Various Surgery Techniques
There are different surgical techniques used to relieve spinal and nerve pain due to a herniated disc. These include:
Usually, smaller incisions during surgery mean less pain, less risk of infection, and less risk of blood loss.
While most people prefer minimally invasive spine surgery, your surgeon may prefer to perform an open procedure to fully visualize the surgical field. You must discuss your expected procedure with your surgeon to ensure you understand what to expect with your herniated disc surgery.
Contraindications
There are some people who should not have herniated disc surgery. Contraindications to the procedure may include:
The decision to have herniated disc surgery is one that should be taken seriously; your surgeon should have a frank discussion with you regarding the procedure, risks, and potential outcomes of the operation.
Potential Risks
No surgery is without risk, and there are risks associated with surgery for a herniated spinal disc. These risks may include:
Rest assured that most people who have spinal surgery make out just fine and recover without complications.Understanding the risks associated with the procedure can help you make an informed decision about having surgery.
Brianna Gilmartin / Verywell
Purpose of Surgery for Herniated Disc
Sometimespoor posture, heaving lifting,or normal wear and tear weakens the wall of the disc, and the jelly-like inner material (nucleus pulposus)pushes out of place. When this occurs, the jelly presses up against a spinal nerve.
This may cause pain, limited motion, or weakness to occur. Herniated disc surgery relieves this pressure, and can help you recover pain free mobility, flexibility, and strength.
Symptoms of a herniated disc may include:
If you suspect you are having a problem with your spine, you need to see your healthcare provider to assess your condition. Your practitioner may order amagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)test which will show the position of your spinal bones, nerves, and discs.
If a disc is displaced or herniated, it will show up on the MRI test and surgery may be recommended to relieve your pain and improve your mobility.
Prior to having herniated disc surgery, youmustattempt to manage your pain conservatively. That means working with aphysical therapistorchiropractor, attempting specific exercises to help push the disc away from your spinal nerves, and being as active as possible.
If conservative measures fail to produce results, you may require surgery, and you may need to prepare. Things that you may be required to do to prep for surgery may include:
Of course, be sure to follow your surgeon’s advice and recommendations when preparing for surgery. Ask any questions you may have, and be sure to understand what should be done to have an optimal outcome from surgery.
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
On the day of your surgery, you will arrive at the hospital or surgical center at your assigned time. You will likely change into a hospital gown, nursing staff will check your vitals such as heart rate and blood pressure, and an intravenous (IV) line will be started. Your surgeon will meet with you and discuss your surgery with you.
Then, the anesthesiologist will use medication to make you drowsy and ensure you cannot feel the pain of the surgical procedure. You will be brought to the operating room, and the surgery will be performed. When you awake from anesthesia, you will likely be in the recovery area, and the nursing staff will care for you.
After surgery, you may be given small amounts of food and water or juice, and medication will be administered to ensure you are comfortable. Most people spend one evening in the hospital, but more recently, outpatient spinal surgery is taking place. In that case, you will be able to return home that same day to begin your recovery.
Recovery from herniated disc surgery begins immediately after the procedure. Most people are encouraged to walk a bit after surgery, and you can expect to move gingerly for about five or six days after the operation. You may be advised tosit with proper postureand avoid heavy lifting, twisting, or bending after the surgery. You may also be required to wear a brace.
Many people benefit from performinggentle exercisesfor spinal range of motion, flexibility, and strength after the operation. Working with a physical therapist may be indicated.
Most people recover from herniated disc surgery in about four to eight weeks. Your specific course of recovery may be more or less depending on the severity of your condition.
You will likely visit with your surgeon immediately after your operation. They will explain to you (and your family or anyone who you choose) how your surgery went and if there were any complications during the procedure. Most people go home the day after surgery.
After about one week, you will follow up with your surgeon. They will examine your incision, and remove sutures provided that things are healing properly. Your surgeon may also ask about your pain level, and medication may be prescribed to help you maintain good pain control.
You may be referred to physical therapy after surgery to aid in your recovery. You can also expect to visit your surgeon at regular two- or three-week intervals for a few months. Your surgeon will monitor your progress and ensure that things are going according to plan.
A Word From Verywell
A herniated disc can be a painful diagnosis that leads to loss of mobility and significant pain. Surgery for a herniated disc involves cutting away disc material to relieve pressure on your spinal nerves. If you have attempted conservative treatments for your herniated disc and continue to have pain, you may benefit from surgery.
Understanding the types of surgery, the risks associated with the operation, and the expected recovery from the procedure can help you make informed decisions about your care.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Herniated disc.Columbia University Neurosurgery.Laminectomy, laminotomy, foraminotomy, laminoforaminotomy.O’Neill KR, Wilson RJ, Burns KM, et al.Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for adjacent segment disease: Clinical outcomes and cost utility of surgical intervention.Clin Spine Surg. 2016;29(6):234-241. doi:10.1097/BSD.0b013e31828ffc54Pang JY, Tan F, Chen WW, et al.Comparison of microendoscopic discectomy and open discectomy for single-segment lumbar disc herniation.World J Clin Cases. 2020;8(14):2942-2949. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v8.i14.2942Reis RC, de Oliveira MF, Rotta JM, Botelho RV.Risk of complications in spine surgery: a prospective study.Open Orthop J. 2015;9:20-25. doi:10.2174/1874325001509010020Brouwer PA, Brand R, van den Akker-van Marle ME, et al.Percutaneous laser disc decompression versus conventional microdiscectomy in sciatica: A randomized controlled trial.Spine J. 2015;15(5):857-865. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2015.01.020Fares MY, Fares J, Salhab HA, Khachfe HH, Bdeir A, Fares Y.Low back pain among weightlifting adolescents and young adults.Cureus. 2020;12(7):e9127. doi:10.7759/cureus.9127Johns Hopkins Medicine.Your guide to spine surgery: preparing for and recovery from surgery.Yerneni K, Burke JF, Chunduru P, et al.Safety of outpatient anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurosurgery. 2020;86(1):30-45. doi:10.1093/neuros/nyy636Mader M, Brady J, Deily S, et al.The role of physical therapy and rehabilitation after lumbar fusion surgery for degenerative disease: A systematic review.J Neurosurg Spine.2017;26(6):694-704. doi:10.3171/2016.10.SPINE16627Texas Institute of Spine and Neurosurgery.Lumbar spinal surgery wound care and discharge instructions.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Herniated disc.Columbia University Neurosurgery.Laminectomy, laminotomy, foraminotomy, laminoforaminotomy.O’Neill KR, Wilson RJ, Burns KM, et al.Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for adjacent segment disease: Clinical outcomes and cost utility of surgical intervention.Clin Spine Surg. 2016;29(6):234-241. doi:10.1097/BSD.0b013e31828ffc54Pang JY, Tan F, Chen WW, et al.Comparison of microendoscopic discectomy and open discectomy for single-segment lumbar disc herniation.World J Clin Cases. 2020;8(14):2942-2949. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v8.i14.2942Reis RC, de Oliveira MF, Rotta JM, Botelho RV.Risk of complications in spine surgery: a prospective study.Open Orthop J. 2015;9:20-25. doi:10.2174/1874325001509010020Brouwer PA, Brand R, van den Akker-van Marle ME, et al.Percutaneous laser disc decompression versus conventional microdiscectomy in sciatica: A randomized controlled trial.Spine J. 2015;15(5):857-865. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2015.01.020Fares MY, Fares J, Salhab HA, Khachfe HH, Bdeir A, Fares Y.Low back pain among weightlifting adolescents and young adults.Cureus. 2020;12(7):e9127. doi:10.7759/cureus.9127Johns Hopkins Medicine.Your guide to spine surgery: preparing for and recovery from surgery.Yerneni K, Burke JF, Chunduru P, et al.Safety of outpatient anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurosurgery. 2020;86(1):30-45. doi:10.1093/neuros/nyy636Mader M, Brady J, Deily S, et al.The role of physical therapy and rehabilitation after lumbar fusion surgery for degenerative disease: A systematic review.J Neurosurg Spine.2017;26(6):694-704. doi:10.3171/2016.10.SPINE16627Texas Institute of Spine and Neurosurgery.Lumbar spinal surgery wound care and discharge instructions.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Herniated disc.Columbia University Neurosurgery.Laminectomy, laminotomy, foraminotomy, laminoforaminotomy.O’Neill KR, Wilson RJ, Burns KM, et al.Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for adjacent segment disease: Clinical outcomes and cost utility of surgical intervention.Clin Spine Surg. 2016;29(6):234-241. doi:10.1097/BSD.0b013e31828ffc54Pang JY, Tan F, Chen WW, et al.Comparison of microendoscopic discectomy and open discectomy for single-segment lumbar disc herniation.World J Clin Cases. 2020;8(14):2942-2949. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v8.i14.2942Reis RC, de Oliveira MF, Rotta JM, Botelho RV.Risk of complications in spine surgery: a prospective study.Open Orthop J. 2015;9:20-25. doi:10.2174/1874325001509010020Brouwer PA, Brand R, van den Akker-van Marle ME, et al.Percutaneous laser disc decompression versus conventional microdiscectomy in sciatica: A randomized controlled trial.Spine J. 2015;15(5):857-865. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2015.01.020Fares MY, Fares J, Salhab HA, Khachfe HH, Bdeir A, Fares Y.Low back pain among weightlifting adolescents and young adults.Cureus. 2020;12(7):e9127. doi:10.7759/cureus.9127Johns Hopkins Medicine.Your guide to spine surgery: preparing for and recovery from surgery.Yerneni K, Burke JF, Chunduru P, et al.Safety of outpatient anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurosurgery. 2020;86(1):30-45. doi:10.1093/neuros/nyy636Mader M, Brady J, Deily S, et al.The role of physical therapy and rehabilitation after lumbar fusion surgery for degenerative disease: A systematic review.J Neurosurg Spine.2017;26(6):694-704. doi:10.3171/2016.10.SPINE16627Texas Institute of Spine and Neurosurgery.Lumbar spinal surgery wound care and discharge instructions.
American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Herniated disc.
Columbia University Neurosurgery.Laminectomy, laminotomy, foraminotomy, laminoforaminotomy.
O’Neill KR, Wilson RJ, Burns KM, et al.Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for adjacent segment disease: Clinical outcomes and cost utility of surgical intervention.Clin Spine Surg. 2016;29(6):234-241. doi:10.1097/BSD.0b013e31828ffc54
Pang JY, Tan F, Chen WW, et al.Comparison of microendoscopic discectomy and open discectomy for single-segment lumbar disc herniation.World J Clin Cases. 2020;8(14):2942-2949. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v8.i14.2942
Reis RC, de Oliveira MF, Rotta JM, Botelho RV.Risk of complications in spine surgery: a prospective study.Open Orthop J. 2015;9:20-25. doi:10.2174/1874325001509010020
Brouwer PA, Brand R, van den Akker-van Marle ME, et al.Percutaneous laser disc decompression versus conventional microdiscectomy in sciatica: A randomized controlled trial.Spine J. 2015;15(5):857-865. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2015.01.020
Fares MY, Fares J, Salhab HA, Khachfe HH, Bdeir A, Fares Y.Low back pain among weightlifting adolescents and young adults.Cureus. 2020;12(7):e9127. doi:10.7759/cureus.9127
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Your guide to spine surgery: preparing for and recovery from surgery.
Yerneni K, Burke JF, Chunduru P, et al.Safety of outpatient anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurosurgery. 2020;86(1):30-45. doi:10.1093/neuros/nyy636
Mader M, Brady J, Deily S, et al.The role of physical therapy and rehabilitation after lumbar fusion surgery for degenerative disease: A systematic review.J Neurosurg Spine.2017;26(6):694-704. doi:10.3171/2016.10.SPINE16627
Texas Institute of Spine and Neurosurgery.Lumbar spinal surgery wound care and discharge instructions.
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