Why would I need a discectomy and fusion?
Discectomy and fusion surgery focus on relieving pressure on the spinal root nerves that cause chronic pain in your back and neck. Pressure on the nerve can also cause pain to radiate down into your arms and legs. You may experience loss of coordination and some of your mobility.
The Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center medical team recommends a discectomy and fusion to remove bone spurs (overgrowth of bone) that compress spinal nerves.
This type of surgery can also address a herniated disc that causes nerve compression. When a spinal disc herniates, the gel-like center of the disc moves outward and can push on the nearby spinal nerves.
What happens during a discectomy and fusion?
The team at Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center can use minimally invasive techniques to complete surgery without causing unnecessary trauma to your body. This type of surgery only requires small incisions to access your spine and remove the bone spurs or disc material.
Depending on your specific needs and the location of the nerve compression, the surgeons can take a variety of approaches to discectomy surgery. They can make the incisions anteriorly, laterally, or posteriorly to achieve the best results.
Along with a discectomy, your Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center provider may perform a spinal fusion. They implant a bone graft using a piece of bone from another part of your body. Over time, this new bone fuses with your vertebrae to form one solid piece of bone. They may also insert a metal plate alongside your vertebrae to stabilize and support your spine as you heal.
During a cervical fusion, the team treats the vertebrae in your cervical spine (neck). A lumbar fusion focuses on stabilizing your lumbar (lower back) spine. If you’re not a candidate for a minimally invasive procedure, the surgical team is also skilled in traditional open techniques for discectomy and spinal fusion.
How long does it take to recover from a discectomy and fusion surgery?
You can expect to go home the day after your discectomy and spinal fusion. Your surgeon works with you to control your pain and promote healing in your spine.
You may begin low-impact, gentle exercises in the days after surgery and increase your activities as you can. You shouldn’t engage in strenuous exercise until your surgeon ensures you’re healing well and clears you.
Because everyone heals differently, you may need several weeks or months to fully recover from surgery and resume your normal routine.
To find out if you’re a candidate for a discectomy and fusion surgery, schedule an evaluation by calling the Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center office nearest you, or by requesting an appointment through the online booking system today.
