Microdiscectomy Surgery in New Jersey

Before your surgery, your doctor will provide you with instructions to include but are not limited to:

• No eating or drinking after midnight the night prior to your procedure
• Stop taking certain medications such as anti-inflammatories or blood thinners
• Wash the surgical area with antibacterial soap the night before, and the morning of, your procedure

On the day of surgery, you will be given general anesthesia by a trained anesthesiologist. You will be completely asleep before the procedure begins. Once you are anesthetized, our team of experienced neurosurgeons and physician assistants will perform the following procedure:  

• A small incision will be made on your back to access the spine. 
• The size of the incision will depend on the type of procedure you are undergoing  
• A small piece of bone will be removed to access the affected exiting nerve root
• Compressive disc material will be removed, freeing the nerve root and spinal cord
• Accompanying procedures may be performed along with a microdiscectomy, such as laminectomy or foraminotomy, to ensure adequate pain relief and sustainability 
• The incision(s) will be closed with multiple layers of dissolvable sutures and covered with a dry, sterile dressing

The microdiscectomy procedure, performed by our trained neurosurgeons at NeuroSpine Plus, utilizes our signature minimally invasive technique to access the herniated disc and affected nerve with use of a microscope and specialized instrumentation. 

Important Considerations Before Microdiscectomy Surgery

Before committing to microdiscectomy surgery, several key factors require careful evaluation to ensure this procedure represents the best treatment option for your specific situation. The severity and duration of your symptoms play a crucial role in surgical decision-making, as microdiscectomy typically becomes most appropriate when leg pain, numbness, or weakness significantly impacts your daily activities and quality of life. Consider whether you’ve given conservative treatments adequate time to work, as many herniated disc symptoms improve with 6-12 weeks of non-surgical care, including physical therapy, medications, and activity modification. Your overall health status, including conditions like diabetes or heart disease that might affect healing, should be discussed thoroughly with your surgical team.

When evaluating microdiscectomy surgery, consider these important factors that may influence your decision and potential outcomes:

• Symptom severity: Whether leg pain, numbness, or weakness significantly limits daily activities and work performance
• Conservative treatment response: Adequate trial of physical therapy, medications, and injections without sufficient improvement
• Overall health status: Medical conditions that might impact surgical healing or anesthesia tolerance
• Realistic expectations: Understanding that surgery primarily addresses leg symptoms rather than back pain
• Work and lifestyle demands: Physical requirements of your job and recreational activities post-surgery
• Support system availability: Family assistance during the initial recovery period when lifting restrictions apply
• Financial preparedness: Insurance coverage verification and understanding of potential out-of-pocket costs
• Timeline flexibility: Ability to take the necessary time off work for surgery and initial recovery
• Long-term goals: How symptom relief aligns with your personal and professional objectives

The timing of surgery also deserves consideration, as microdiscectomy can often be scheduled electively when it fits best with your work and family commitments. However, certain symptoms like progressive weakness or loss of bowel/bladder control require more urgent intervention. Taking time to thoroughly evaluate these considerations ensures you make an informed decision that aligns with your health goals and life circumstances.

Essential Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Microdiscectomy Surgery

Before proceeding with microdiscectomy surgery, asking specific questions about the procedure helps ensure you fully understand what to expect and feel confident in your treatment decision. Start by discussing the details of your particular case, including which disc level requires treatment, the size and location of the herniation, and how these factors influence your surgical approach. Ask about your surgeon’s experience with microdiscectomy procedures, including how many they perform annually and their success rates for relieving leg pain and other symptoms.

When meeting with your surgeon, consider asking these important questions to help you make an informed decision about microdiscectomy surgery:

• Procedure specifics: Which disc level needs treatment, size of the herniation, and expected surgical approach
• Surgeon experience: How many microdiscectomy procedures are performed annually, and the success rates for symptom relief
• Expected outcomes: Realistic expectations for pain relief, timeline for improvement, and likelihood of addressing your specific symptoms
• Recovery timeline: Hospital stay length, return to work expectations, driving restrictions, and physical therapy requirements
• Risks and complications: Potential for nerve injury, infection, recurrent herniation, and overall procedure success rates
• Activity restrictions: Lifting limitations, exercise restrictions, and timeline for resuming normal activities
• Alternative treatments: Other options available and why surgery is recommended over conservative approaches
• Financial considerations: Total costs, insurance coverage, and anticipated out-of-pocket expenses
• Warning signs: Symptoms requiring immediate medical attention during recovery
• Long-term outlook: Expected durability of results and potential need for future interventions

Understanding the expected benefits is crucial – inquire about realistic expectations for pain relief, timeline for symptom improvement, and the likelihood that surgery will address your specific symptoms, like numbness, tingling, or weakness. These discussions help ensure microdiscectomy aligns with your treatment goals and life circumstances while providing the information necessary to prepare for a successful recovery.