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Lumbar Microdiscetomy
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This information is being provided to you in order to prepare you to make decisions about your own health care. If you should ultimately decide that surgery is the best treatment option for you, this section will help you understand what happens during a lumbar microdiscectomy and will help you prepare for your role in the healing and recovery process. Read it thoroughly and answer the questions before making your final decision about your treatment options.

   
 

The duty of your health care team is to:

  1. evaluate your condition;
  2. establish a diagnosis;
  3. present the various treatment options;
  4. offer a specific treatment recommendation;
  5. provide you with the information you need to make a decision; and then
  6. support you in the decision you make.
   
 

You are the only one who can decide to have surgery. It is important that you take ownership of this decision, recognizing the limitations your particular physical condition places on the potential success of each of the treatment options.

If you choose to have surgery, your physical condition and your mental attitude will determine your body's ability to heal. You must approach your surgery with confidence, a positive attitude, and a thorough understanding of the anticipated outcome. You should have realistic goals-and work steadily to achieve those goals.

The decision to have or not to have surgery includes weighing the risks and benefits involved. You will make the final decision, so ask questions about anything you do not understand.

   
 

Your spinal column consists of 24 separate bones, called vertebrae, plus the five fused bones of the sacrum and the four fused bones of the coccyx (often referred to as the "tail bone") (Fig. 1, below). The vertebrae are stacked one on top of another and can be divided into:

  1. The cervical (neck) spine: the top seven vertebrae,
  2. The thoracic (chest) spine: the middle 12 vertebrae, and
  3. The lumbar (lower back) spine: the bottom five vertebrae.

Spinal anatomy

   
  Attached to the vertebrae are muscles, tendons and a group of strong bands, called ligaments. Together, they support the spinal column and help to protect its delicate nerves.
   
The Role of the Vertebral (Spinal) Column Your spinal column enables you to walk upright. It is the central support for your upper body and carries the weight of your head, chest and arms. The vertebrae in the lumbar (or lower back) portion of your spine carry the majority of this weight. The constant pressure from this weight, even when you are simply sitting in a chair, is what usually leads to problems associated with the lower back.
   
The Role of the Intervertebral Discs The bony vertebrae of your spinal column are separated from one another by "pads" of tough cartilage, called intervertebral discs (Fig. 2, above). These discs act like "shock absorbers" during activity, allowing the spine to move freely. How a disc "ruptures" (bulges outward) is shown in the drawing to the right (Fig. 2, above) and will be discussed in detail on the following section.
   
The Intervertebral Disc Nucleus

The center of each intervertebral disc is made up of a gelatin-like substance (the nucleus ), surrounded by a fiber-like outer lining (the annulus) (Fig. 3). As your body ages, the disc's nucleus begins to stiffen. This reduces flexibility and increases the chances that a disc may "rupture," especially in the lumbar spine which carries so much of your body's weight.

Vertebra Top

   

 The Spinal Canal

The spinal cord, which begins at the base of the brain and runs within the spinal canal, ends in the lumbar spine area in a bundle of nerves known as the cauda equina (Figs. 3 & 4). The spinal canal runs through the center of the spinal column and protects the spinal cord and other delicate spinal nerves.

Spinal Nerves

   
The Spinal Nerve Roots At each vertebral level, a pair of nerves branch off from the spinal cord or the cauda equina (one to the left and one to the right). These spinal nerve roots are part of the body's "electrical" system, carrying "current" (for sensation and movement) to specific parts of the body (Fig. 4). The nerve roots are protected by an "insulated" covering in the same way a "live" electrical line is coated to prevent direct contact with the bare wire. A nerve root damaged by a ruptured disc may have all or part of its "insulation" rubbed off at the point of injury. Prior to surgery there is no way of telling how much has been rubbed off or how much damage has been done to the nerve (the body's "live electrical wire").
 

 

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The information in eSpine.com is not intended as a substitute for medical advice but is to be used as an aid in understanding back pain and neck pain. Always consult your physician about your medical condition.

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Last modified: October 1st, 2005