It also may remove thickened tissue that is narrowing the spinal canal. Either of these procedures may be done at the same time as a discectomy, or separately. Your doctor may recommend a rehabilitation program after the procedure. This program may include physiotherapy and home exercises. Treatments other than surgery can often help you feel better, be more active, and avoid surgery.
Many people are able to manage their symptoms with things like:. If you are getting better after at least 6 weeks of non-surgical treatment, that's a good sign that your body will keep healing without surgery. Often the body reabsorbs the material from the disc, which helps the pain go away. This process is called resorption.
Surgery for a lumbar low back herniated disc works well for many people, but not for everyone. For some people, it can get rid of all or most of their symptoms. In a study of people who had sciatica caused by a herniated disc, the chances of having no symptoms or almost no symptoms 3 months to 2 years later was a little higher with surgery than with non-surgical treatment.
But overall most people felt better with or without surgery. In a study of people who had 6 to 12 weeks of severe sciatica related to a herniated disc, one group was assigned to have surgery soon the surgery group. The other group the non-surgical group was assigned to try non-surgical treatments for 6 months, followed by surgery if their symptoms didn't improve. When asked about their recovery 2 months after surgery or the start of non-surgical treatment, people in the surgery group felt better closer to complete recovery than people in the non-surgical group.
But after 1 year, both treatment groups rated their recovery about the same. If you don't choose surgery now, you can change your mind later if your symptoms haven't gotten better or have gotten worse even with other treatments. Surgery seems to work just as well if it's done within 6 months after your symptoms started. Most people have no problems with back surgery for a herniated disc. But as for most surgeries, there are some risks:. The numbers in this section are for discectomy standard discectomy and microdiscectomy , the most common surgery for herniated disc.
There is no high-quality evidence showing that surgery is more helpful than non-surgical treatment for a lumbar herniated disc. In a study of people who had sciatica caused by a herniated disc , the chances of having no symptoms or almost no symptoms 3 months to 2 years later was a little higher with surgery than with non-surgical treatment. But overall, most people felt better with or without surgery. In a study of people who had 6 to 12 weeks of severe sciatica related to a herniated disc , one group was assigned to have surgery soon the surgery group.
Take a group of people who have back surgery. The more serious risks include:. Wound problems, including infection and hematoma bad bruise : Less than 1 to 2 out of people who had surgery had an infection or some other wound problem. This means that 98 to more than 99 did not. Nerve damage: About 1 to 3 out of people who had surgery had nerve root injury or new or worsening nerve-related problems, such as weakness, numbness, or tingling.
This means that 97 to 99 did not have these problems. Having symptoms that don't get better, or having new symptoms in the future: About 4 to 10 out of people who had surgery went on to have another surgery for a herniated disc. This means that 90 to 96 did not. These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers.
They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. I injured my back working in the garden a few weeks ago. Based on the symptoms I'm having, my doctor says it's pretty likely that I have a herniated disc.
From what I understand, the pain and leg symptoms will probably go away over time, but I can't wait that long. My doctor says that the surgery will probably help me recover faster, even though over the long term it might not make any difference. The short term is what's important to me right now.
I can accept the potential risks, so I'm going ahead with tests and moving forward with the surgery. Surgery has always made me nervous, even though I've never had a bad experience with it myself. I just prefer not to have surgery if I have any other option available. The pain and other symptoms from my herniated disc are getting better, even if it's happening slowly. My doctor said that it is reasonable for me to just keep doing home treatment and take better care of my back.
The pain from my herniated disc is the worst pain I have ever felt. My leg feels like it is on fire. I know that isn't true for everyone who has a herniated disc, but it sure is in my case. I'm willing to try a month or so of conservative treatment.
But if there isn't a dramatic improvement, my doctor has agreed to go ahead with plans for surgery. I'm lucky, because my company has allowed me to take a job in another department where I don't have to lift and where I can move around if I need to during the day.
If I wasn't able to do that, or if the pain was really bad, I would definitely have had surgery. But this way I can keep working while my back heals on its own. The pain is definitely still there, but it's manageable. I expect that over time I will be able to return to most of my normal work and recreational activities. Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
I understand that surgery has risks. But I am comfortable with the idea of having back surgery, because there is a chance that it might help. I don't like the idea of surgery at all, because of the risks and the chance that it might not help.
I've tried exercises, medicines, and working with a physiotherapist for a few months, and I don't think they have helped me. I think the exercises I've been doing or the medicines I'm taking are starting to help. It's very important that I get my pain under control so that I can go back to work as soon as possible. Time is not a problem for me. Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision.
Show which way you are leaning right now. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
I am in a lot of pain. I don't see how I can stand it much longer. If I have pain because of a herniated disc, I probably need surgery. If my symptoms haven't gotten better, surgery might help me get better faster. Years from now, I will probably feel just as good without surgery as I would if I have surgery. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H. Blahd Jr. Keller MD - Orthopedics. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Important Phone Numbers. Get the facts. Your options Have surgery for your herniated disc now. Don't have surgery now.
Deciding to have a herniated disc surgery is an important decision. Everything about this choice should be derived from your specific situation. At Oasis Orthopedic and Spine, your recovery, no matter the type, is a team effort.
We help you get back to the life you deserve by partnering with you to achieve a shorter recovery time and improved mobility.
You can find the pain relief you deserve at Oasis Medical Group. Request An Appointment. Oasis Admin June 10, Exhausting Non-Invasive Treatments In the vast majority of herniated disc situations, you will begin your path to pain relief with non-invasive treatments. Epidural steroid injections, for example, can: Ease pain Aid mobility Calm inflammation While injections are not long term solutions, they can provide relief while your body is healing.
There are 2 common reasons to consider a herniated disc surgery: Your herniation is so severe that it is clear a non-invasive treatment would not provide the ideal results, such as nerve damage and loss of bladder or bowel control. You are not improving with non-invasive treatments. Other benefits to minimally invasive spine surgeries include: Reduced risk of blood loss and infection rates Less inclined to have reliance on pain medication Reduced risk of muscle damage Less rehabilitation required Quicker recovery There are many different types of minimally invasive spine surgeries that can provide relief for a herniated disc.
However, surgeons cannot guarantee that symptoms will disappear after surgery. Some people may continue to experience herniated disc pain after the recovery period. In some cases, the pain may worsen over time. People who develop a herniated disc should limit their activities for 2 to 3 days. Limiting movement will reduce inflammation at the site of the nerve.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, doctors do not recommend bed rest, however. People who have pinched nerves in the neck and leg due to a herniated disc may try NSAIDs and physical therapy. If those treatments are ineffective, doctors may recommend other nonsurgical options, such as selective nerve root blocks. These treatments are local numbing agents that doctors inject into the spinal cord to alleviate herniated disc pain.
A herniated disc can cause disabling pain. In many cases, nonsurgical treatment options offer effective pain relief. If there is no improvement, a doctor may recommend herniated disc surgery. The type of surgical procedure a person undergoes depends on several factors. These include the location of the herniated disc, the severity of the pain, and level of disability it causes. Most people can return to their usual activities around 4 weeks after herniated disc surgery.
People who follow a rehabilitation program after surgery may experience a shorter recovery time and better mobility. People who have a herniated disc should talk to their doctor about the treatment options that are available to them. Degenerative disc disease is not technically a disease, but a natural occurrence due to aging. One or more of the discs between the vertebrae of the…. Lower back pain is very common and often the result of a minor injury or overuse. However, it can sometimes be a symptom of conditions that affect the….
A persistent or recurring tingling, or pins and needles, sensation in the back can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Causes can include…. The bones in the back have sponge-like discs between them. These discs can become dehydrated and lose flexibility, often as people age, resulting in….
Many people experience lower back pain when bending over. This article looks at a variety of conditions that can cause this pain, as well as…. What to know about herniated disc surgery. Medically reviewed by Andrew Gonzalez, M. What is a herniated disc? Who needs surgery? Procedures Recovery Risks Alternatives Summary A person who has a herniated disc may experience pain that affects their daily activities.
Share on Pinterest There is a variety of procedures that a surgeon can carry out to treat a herniated disc.
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