What Happens During a Herniated Disc Operation?

A herniated disc operation is considered a last resort of treatment because most herniated discs heal on their own within a month or two of recovery. Some herniated disc injuries, however, require surgery to relieve pressure on nerves that may result in neurological issues or persistent leg pain. During a herniated disc operation, the portion of the spinal disc that has ruptured or slipped out of place is surgically removed to alleviate the pressure on the nerve. A herniated disc operation is an open surgery — that is, an incision must be made to allow the surgeon to see the injury — though newer techniques are minimally invasive and require only small holes to puncture the skin.

A herniated disc occurs when the encapsulated gel-like fluid between vertebrae — known as the spinal disc — leaks through a rupture in the disc wall and puts pressure on the nerves surrounding the vertebrae. Such a rupture may lead to sciatic nerve pain or other nerve pain throughout the body. In severe cases, this pain can lead to limited motion, constant pain, or muscle weakness. While most of these injuries tend to heal on their own, more persistent injuries may need to be corrected surgically because the rupture is causing neurological issues that may be long-lasting. A proper diagnosis and evaluation must be made by a doctor, and it must be determined that no other courses of action are available.

The process involved in a herniated disc operation only lasts about an hour to two hours, but the recovery time is much longer. The incision must heal properly, and it is prone to infection. It must be kept clean, and the patient must avoid excess movement to prevent reopening the wound once it has begun healing. Once the rupture has been surgically treated, the area of the spine will also need sufficient time to heal. Healing time may range anywhere from several weeks to several months. Once the affected area has begun to heal, physical therapy will be necessary to regain mobility and strength in the back.

The risks associated with a herniated disc operation include an inability to predict whether the surgery will alleviate the pain. A recurrence of the herniated disc is also possible, as is a herniated disc in another part of the spine. The surgery is also invasive, therefore risking infection. The less invasive surgery involves inserting a small camera into the back to view the affected area; the surgeon may then cut away at the spinal disc without opening a large incision. This process, while less invasive, is also less precise and somewhat riskier.