Risks
Preparation
Timeline
Optimization
Recovery
Life After SurgeryAbout The ProcedureLumbar Microdiscectomy
The goal of Lumbar Microdiscectomy, also sometimes called microdecompression or microdiskectomy, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed on patients to resolve a herniated lumbar disc.
During a microdiscectomy, Dr. Paul removes and uses a small 1 to 1.5-inch incision to access the spine. The incision is longer if there is more than one level of surgery scheduled. A minimally invasive retractor is used to move muscles to the side gently.
A small amount of bone and ligament are removed to expose the affected nerve. The nerves are moved to expose the disc fragment compressing the nerve and are then removed. While he does look in the disc to remove any other loose pieces, Dr. Paul leaves the remaining disc in place.
If there is any spinal stenosis or bone spurs, he removes those as well to ensure there is no pressure on the nerve.
The entire procedure is done using magnifying loupes (glasses) with additional lighting and is done microscopically. The procedure is done under general anesthesia. You will be unconscious during the entire procedure and unable to feel anything. The procedure is performed with you lying face down.
Lumbar Microdiscectomy Patient Animation Video
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Lumbar MicrodiscectomyBy the numbers
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cases per year
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years of experience
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performed outpatient
Lumbar MicrodiscectomyBy the numbers
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cases per year
0123456789001234567890
years of experience
0123456789001234567890%
performed outpatient
Common Surgical Risks
We have attempted to define the more common risks of surgery under each of the procedures outlined. It is impossible to outline all potential poor outcomes, but we have attempted to do so in good faith. It has not been formed as legal protection for us – only to better inform you. Please read them thoroughly.
Infections are a known complication of lumbar surgery. Infection rates are more associated with smoking, poorly controlled diabetes, obesity as well as other health factors. Less invasive and shorter procedures also have lower complication rates. Infections requiring additional surgery are extremely rare in Dr. Paul’s practice.
Bleeding can be a serious complication since blood accumulation can compress the spinal cord or nerve roots. For that reason we require discontinuing blood thinners, some anti-inflammatories and all herbal medications.
Spinal Leaks are a known complication in spine surgery but typically can be managed. They occur approximately 3 to 5% of the time They can be the result of adherent bone, disc, ligament or scar tissue to the dura and the membrane surrounding your nerves or spinal cord. They are far more associated with revision surgery, severe nerve compression and advanced age. If this occurs, we typically repair the leak during your operation. You may be required to lay flat for a short period of time afterwards. Late presenting or persisting spinal leaks can require additional surgery. Spinal leaks typically do not affect long term outcomes.
How Do People Function After LM Surgery?
Your surgery was performed because you have a degenerative condition that can affect the rest of your spine. Therefore, if you have had surgery at one level in your spine, it would be reasonable to assume you could have problems at the same or other levels. Since the spine has 36 levels, this is not unusual. Most people handle degenerative difficulties with self-care and non-operative care. That being said, Dr. Paul and his team go to great lengths to minimize the chances of needing additional care for your spine. That includes careful surgical planning, intraoperative decision making, and post-operative care.
Stopping Medications Before Surgery
Because of the risk of bleeding we require you come off the following medications for at least ten days prior to surgery. You may need to get clearance from the prescribing physician to allow a pause in these medications.
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The First Few Days After Surgery
Incisional Care:
Be sure to keep the wound dry by changing the dressings at least once a day, more if needed. Your incision may drain for the first week or so after surgery. This is common and expected and should lessen as you get further out from surgery.
Regular dressing changes will prevent problems. A wet dressing will breakdown the healing skin and may lead to delayed healing and possibly infection. You may shower 72 hours after surgery, but you must keep the wound dry. If you cannot keep the wound dry, please take a sponge bath until your first postoperative visit to discuss. Concerning signs include foul smelling drainage and a “tomato red” wound.
How to handle post-operative pain:
Naturally, once anesthetics have worn off, pain will become increasingly evident in the areas involved in a surgical procedure. You may not have much incisional pain after surgery because there is local anesthesia injected at the time of surgery. This will wear off in the evening. We recommend you use the pain medicine prescribed or muscle relaxant to avoid the potential for getting behind your pain.
When to call our office after surgery
Reasons to call after hours:
- Increasing drainage from a surgical wound or fevers greater than 101 degrees
- Significant throat swelling (after neck surgery)
- Loss of control of bowel or bladder
- Potential need to postpone scheduled surgery for the next business day
Reasons to call during business hours:
- To make an appointment
- Discuss or obtain test results
- Medication refills
- Inquiries regarding insurance, billing, or disability paperwork
We strongly recommend implementing the use of MyDulyHealth to contact the office. Laura and our staff monitor the messages during business hours.
Common Post-Operative Concerns: Q&A
You may still experience some of your pre-operative pain or symptoms.
This is because the nerves can take a long time to heal and may still be sensitive immediately after surgery. As healing progresses and the initial inflammatory phase as surgery resolves, the nerve irritations will resolve. This may take weeks to months in certain circumstances. This is why we follow our patients up to a year after surgery.
The use of pain medicines can, and most likely will, cause constipation.
If you are prone to constipation, make sure your bowels are soft and moving regularly prior to surgery for several days. Some patients will start a clear liquid diet the day before. It is especially important that you have a bowel movement within 48 hours after surgery. Opioid medications in particular are associated with constipation, and patients should look into taking a stool softener such as docusate, and a fiber laxative such as psyllium to facilitate normal bowel movements.
Nausea and Vomiting.
If you are prone to nausea and vomiting, please let the anesthesiologist know the day of surgery. Current anesthetic practices have drastically improved these issues, but additional precautions may help. Also, Dr. Paul’s team will avoid medications that may cause nausea and vomiting for you.
Infection.
Although uncommon, wounds can become infected following any operation. Redness and warmth accompanying unusually painful incisions are suggestive of infection, as well as oozing of the incision site. Risk of deep infection within the first 2 weeks after surgery is rare. If you develop a sustained fever over 101 or if you experience malodorous drainage or the incision turns deep red and sensitive to touch please contact our office. Notify your physician immediately if any of these symptoms occur please call or message us using the MyDMG app.
2-6 Weeks After Surgery
We often talk to patients about the first two weeks being the most difficult after a microdiscectomy. The first 2 days are the hardest in that 2-weeks. The more generally active you are the more the muscle soreness improves. Please do not just lay in bed.
In the early weeks, gradually increase activities. Remain on your feet for more extended periods and improve your walking distances. You may return to a sedentary job in as little as 1-3 weeks but with no bending, twisting, or lifting more than 10 pounds. Sit only in chairs with good lumbar support. These restrictions are in place to prevent a reherniation.
6-12 Weeks After Surgery
After the first six weeks, we typically decrease restrictions and we allow for more bending or twisting as required for normal everyday activities.
We will often raise the lifting restriction to 20 to 30 pounds. You may return to light duty or physical labor if pain-free and allowed by your surgeon—with minimal bending or twisting. You may swim after six weeks. Continue your physical therapy exercise program. You may be shown specific therapeutic exercises at your six-week visit.
The most dramatic changes will take place in the first 8-weeks post-op. Even if you experience some of your pre-op pain during this time you should not be too concerned. We follow our patients for a year after surgery knowing the nerves may take a long time to heal. Most feel significantly better after the first week or two.
Care & Recovery Information
The most dramatic changes will take place in the first eight weeks after surgery. Even if you experience some of your pre-op pain during this time, you should not be too concerned. We follow our patients for a year post-op knowing the nerves may take a long time to heal. Most feel significantly better after the first week or two.
It is not uncommon to experience your post-operative pain. The nerves are still sensitive once pressure is taken off them and it may take time for them to heal.
You may not have much incisional pain after surgery because there is local anesthesia injected at the surgery time. This will wear off in the evening. We recommend using the pain medicine prescribed or muscle relaxant to avoid the potential for getting behind your pain.
Physical Therapy
Some of our patients may benefit from physical therapy after surgery. Kevin and Adam will likely order this for you in 2 or 6 weeks if necessary. We prefer to send you to physical therapists with specific emphasis on spine and in your immediate area.
Our “partner” physical therapists understand Dr. Paul’s protocols and surgeries. If you live outside our area, or out of state, we will work with your local therapists on a case by case basis.
Access Dr. Paul’s Curated Rehab & Physical Therapy Video Library.
Physical Therapy
Some of our patients may benefit from physical therapy after surgery. Kevin and Adam will likely order this for you in 2 or 6 weeks if necessary. We prefer to send you to physical therapists with specific emphasis on spine and in your immediate area.
Our “partner” physical therapists understand Dr. Paul’s protocols and surgeries. If you live outside our area, or out of state, we will work with your local therapists on a case by case basis.
Athletic Rehabilitation
For our more athletic patients we have a number of videos and protocols to regain your full function. You MUST be cleared by Dr. Paul, Kevin or Adam before pursuing any of these workout routines. Not everyone is suited for these. We often require your therapist to transition you to workouts like these before having you work independently. Most of these videos provide a foundational basis for athletic activity.
Notice of Non-Affiliation
We are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with the authors in the youtube videos, or any of its subsidiaries or its affiliates.
Athletic Rehabilitation
For our more athletic patients we have a number of videos and protocols to regain your full function. You MUST be cleared by Dr. Paul, Kevin or Adam before pursuing any of these workout routines. Not everyone is suited for these. We often require your therapist to transition you to workouts like these before having you work independently. Most of these videos provide a foundational basis for athletic activity.
Notice of Non-Affiliation
We are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with the authors in the youtube videos, or any of its subsidiaries or its affiliates.
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