🩻 Discectomy
🔹 What It Is
A Discectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part (or all) of a herniated intervertebral disc that is pressing on a nerve root or spinal cord.
. Discs are cushions between the bones of the spine (vertebrae).
. When a disc herniates/slips, its inner gel-like material presses on nearby nerves → causing back/neck pain, leg pain (sciatica), numbness, or weakness.
. A discectomy relieves this pressure.

🔹 Types of Discectomy
1.Open Discectomy
. Traditional surgery with a larger incision.
. Surgeon removes herniated disc portion directly.
2.Microdiscectomy
. Minimally invasive → small incision, microscope used.
. Less tissue damage, faster recovery.
. Common for lumbar disc herniation (sciatica).
3.Endoscopic Discectomy
. Even smaller incision, done with a camera + special tools.
. Outpatient (same-day discharge in many cases).

🔹 When It’s Needed
. Severe pain (leg or arm) that does not improve after 6+ weeks of non-surgical treatment (medicines, physiotherapy, injections).
. Numbness, tingling, or weakness in legs/arms due to nerve compression.
. Difficulty walking, standing, or performing daily activities.
. Rarely, in emergencies like cauda equina syndrome (loss of bladder/bowel control).

🔹 Benefits
✅ Relieves nerve pain (leg/arm).
✅ Improves mobility.
✅ High success rate (~85–95% for pain relief).
✅ Minimally invasive options available.

🔹 Risks
⚠️ Infection.
⚠️ Bleeding.
⚠️ Nerve injury (numbness, weakness).
⚠️ Spinal fluid leak.
⚠️ Re-herniation of the same disc (5–10%).

🔹 Recovery Timeline
. Hospital stay: 1–2 days (same-day for minimally invasive).
. Walking: usually within 24 hours.
. Back to desk work: 2–4 weeks.
. Heavy lifting / sports: 2–3 months.
. Full recovery: 3–6 months.