Diskectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the damaged portion of a herniated disk in your spine. A herniated disk can irritate or compress nearby nerves. Diskectomy is effective for treating pain that radiates down your arms or legs.
The procedure is less helpful for treating actual back pain or neck pain. Most people who have back pain or neck pain try more-conservative treatments, such as physical therapy.
Consult with a pain management specialist if you are experiencing any of these symptoms because your doctor may suggest diskectomy if conservative, nonsurgical treatments haven’t worked or if your symptoms worsen. There are several ways to perform a diskectomy.
Why it’s done
Herniated disk
A diskectomy is performed to relieve the pressure that a herniated disk (also called a slipped, ruptured or bulging disk or disk prolapse) places on a spinal nerve. A herniated disk occurs when some of the softer material inside the disk pushes out through a crack in the tougher exterior.
What Conditions Does Endoscopic Discectomy Treat?
- Spinal and foraminal stenosis
- Bulging disc
- Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
- Degenerative Disc disease
- Sciatica
- Spondylolisthesis
- Radicular Pain
- Bones spurs
- Arthritis of the vertebrae
Your doctor may recommend diskectomy if:
- You have trouble standing or walking because of nerve weakness
- Conservative treatment, such as physical therapy or steroid injections, fails to improve your symptoms after six to twelve weeks
- Pain radiating into your buttocks, legs, arms or chest becomes too much to manage