Lumbar Discectomy

Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI)

Neurological Surgery & Neurointerventional Surgeons located in Pomona, CA & Arcadia, CA

Lumbar discectomy is a leading treatment for herniated discs, which are a frequent cause of lower back pain and reduced mobility. If you have disc problems for which other treatments aren't working, the expert spinal surgeons at Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) in Pomona and Arcadia, California, can help. They use advanced, minimally invasive techniques to perform lumbar discectomy, removing the damaged disc and relieving your symptoms. To benefit from the surgical team's unrivaled expertise in lumbar discectomy, call Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) or request your consultation online today.

Lumbar Discectomy Q & A

What is a lumbar discectomy?

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Lumbar discectomy is spinal surgery that involves removing a damaged disc or part of a disc from between the vertebrae in your lower back. Although open surgery may occasionally be necessary, Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) surgeons primarily use minimally invasive spine surgery techniques.

Intervertebral discs are spongy pads situated between the bones making up your spine. They have jelly-like centers that absorb shock and protect your vertebrae, as well as helping to stabilize your spinal column.

These discs can sometimes suffer damage (herniation or rupture) that causes lower back pain and problems like sciatica. For certain patients, lumbar discectomy is an effective way of addressing pain and disability caused by injured discs.

Why might I need a lumbar discectomy?

You might benefit from a lumbar discectomy if disc problems causing lower back pain and loss of function are having a significant impact on your life.

For most patients at Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI), conservative approaches such as medication, physical therapy, and activity modification effectively resolve lower back pain.

More persistent pain might require advanced therapies such as an epidural steroid injection, nerve block, or radiofrequency ablation.

If none of these nonsurgical methods is relieving your pain, your surgeon might suggest a lumbar discectomy.

How is lumbar discectomy performed?

Your surgeon performs lumbar discectomy after you've had a general anesthetic, so you'll be asleep throughout the procedure.

There are several ways of accessing your spine, including:

Anterior (via the front of your body)
Posterior (via the back of your body)
Lateral (through your side)

Each method has its advantages and disadvantages and suits different patients. The surgical team at Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) determines which approach is right for you after reviewing your case.

They typically use the least invasive method to minimize tissue damage and pain and help you recover more quickly.

What does lumbar discectomy involve?

Depending on the level of damage, your surgeon might have to remove the entire disc or perform a microdiscectomy, where they just take out the damaged section. In some cases, it's necessary to remove portions of the bone and ligament around the disc (decompression).

If your surgeon removes the whole disc, they can insert a bone graft to fuse the vertebrae and stabilize your spine. Alternatively, you might be able to have artificial disc replacement surgery, where your surgeon fits a substitute disc called a prosthesis.

To find out if lumbar discectomy could be the answer to your lower back pain, call Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) to schedule a consultation or request an appointment online today.

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