Lumbar Discectomy

Chronic Pain Management Doctor In Brooklyn NY

The Benefits Of Lumbar Discectomy

Most people at some point in their lives will experience lower back pain or sciatica, which can make it difficult for them to complete work responsibilities or participate in recreational activities. Degenerative disc disease, herniated or bulging discs, muscle strain, and lumbar arthritis are some of the possible causes of lower back pain. When a bulging or herniated disc causes back pain or sciatica, lumbar discectomy is considered the preferred treatment.

The term “discectomy” refers to the removal of the disc. An operation of this type can be performed on any part of the spine, such as the cervical (neck) or lumbar (lower back). The discectomy procedure can be performed using a variety of surgical tools and techniques. Using a minimally invasive or microendoscopic approach, a small skin incision is made and dilators tunnel through the muscles, allowing special instruments to operate in a smaller space. A minimally invasive approach typically results in a shorter recovery period and less disruption of the back muscles.

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What Is Lumbar Discectomy?

An outpatient lumbar discectomy removes the herniated portion of the lumbar disc using a minimally invasive procedure. Your life can be seriously disrupted by back pain and other symptoms caused by this treatment.

It used to be common to treat back conditions with open surgery, which often involved cutting through muscles, causing even more pain. With this minimally invasive approach, new techniques have been developed to treat many back conditions.

If you’re in search of a pain management specialist in New York City with a fellowship-trained and highly experienced pain and musculoskeletal specialist, call Dr. Ilana Etelzon. As a pain specialist, Dr. Etelzon specializes in providing treatment options that break the cycle of pain. Her goal is to get you back to an active, pain-free life as soon as possible.

A number of conditions can result in low back pain. In most cases, it is caused by a herniated disc, which occurs when a cushion between two vertebrae bulges and presses on a nerve. You may experience the following symptoms if you have a herniation:

Weakness
Low back pain
Tingling
Sciatica nerve pain, which is pain that radiates from your lower back across the buttocks and down the leg
A herniated disc is the most common reason for a lumbar discectomy but there are other conditions that may trigger both back and leg pain, including:
Degenerative disc disease
Spinal stenosis
Radiculopathy

Lumbar Discectomy Procedure In Brooklyn

Your NYC pain management doctor will first try nonsurgical treatment methods such as activity modification, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, and steroid injections before recommending surgery. You may be a good candidate for a lumber discectomy if your symptoms don’t improve after nonsurgical treatment or if they worsen.

As a result of technological advances, lumbar discectomy procedures can now be performed as outpatient procedures using a process called percutaneous discectomy. Using advanced imaging technology, your pain specialist inserts one or more small tubes into your back to allow disc decompression.

Typically, the procedure takes 30 to 45 minutes and is performed using a local anesthetic rather than general anesthesia. You may need to avoid the following for the first week or two after the procedure:

Sitting for long periods of time
Twisting
Bending
Lifting objects heavier than 10 pounds
Post-surgical pain should be minimal, and any discomfort you may experience is usually controlled with over-the-counter medication.

Successful Back Pain Relief With Lumbar Discectomy

A lumbar discectomy has a very high success rate for relieving lower back pain caused by compression of a nerve. Benefits of this procedure include:

Smaller incision and less blood loss than traditional open surgery
Pain relief almost immediately after the procedure
Minimal damage to surrounding tissues

You can return to an active lifestyle after a lumbar discectomy if you suffer from back and sciatica pain. Choosing Dr. Ilana Etelzon means trusting a highly experienced surgeon who can formulate a treatment plan that’s practical, effective, and personalized. Let Dr. Etelzon help you achieve better mobility and less pain by scheduling a consultation today.