LUMBAR MICRO-DISCECTOMY or DECOMPRESSIVE LAMINECTOMY

You have been diagnosed with a herniated disc and Dr. Gill has recommended a surgical procedure called micro-lumbar discectomy.   This is a surgical procedure with general anesthesia and you are normally allowed to go home the same day as the procedure or the next morning.   Time away from work depends on the type of work you do. The purpose of the surgery is to relieve your leg pain.

Dr. Gill will make an incision about 1 – 2 inches long in the center of your spine. If you have a herniated disc, Dr. Gill will then remove the part of the disc (30%) that is herniated and pressing on your nerve. The rest of your disc is left intact. If your diagnosis is stenosis, then he will remove the part of the bone that is pressing on the nerve. He will take enough of the bone to relieve your symptoms, but will also leave enough to continue to provide stabilization.

When you are discharged from the hospital, you will have absorbable sutures under your skin holding the incision closed. On the top of the skin will be steri-strips covered by a clear plastic tegaderm. See the WOUND CARE information sheet.

You should avoid bending, twisting, lifting and carrying objects over 10 pounds for 4 – 6 weeks after surgery. Dr. Gill or his PA will them determine how you can progress your activity. Your main activity for rehab will consist of walking and resting when you go home from the hospital. You should start walking short distances 5 – 6 times a day, and then progress to longer distances fewer times a day.

You may have muscle spasms in your low back after surgery. This is due to having an incision. Walking and using ice on the muscle helps break the spasm. You may also notice different hip or leg sensations after the surgery. There can be some swelling inside the surgical site that can cause temporary pressure on the nerves. As your body heals, the swelling will decrease, and the sensations should resolve within 3 – 4 months. If the nerve symptoms are painful, there are medications that may be added to help relieve these symptoms. Please notify the office about painful symptoms.

The goal of surgery is to have you return to an active lifestyle without significant pain. You have a 70 – 90% chance of accomplishing these goals after surgery. To increase your chances of a successful operation, you will be asked to do the following:

1. Begin a program of walking after surgery. Walking will help you heal your incision in several ways. First, walking is an aerobic exercise; therefore, it will help to increase the oxygen level in your blood.   Increased oxygen means increased nutrition in the surgery site, which will increase your success. Your program of walking will consist of simply walking until you are tired or uncomfortable, and resting until you are ready to walk again. At your 3-week post op visit we hope you will be able to walk 1 – 2 miles per day.

2. Stop smoking, or at the very least, cut down. Smoking robs your blood of oxygen and delays healing which decreases your chance for a successful surgery outcome. Patients who smoke after surgery have a 15 – 25% increase in the failure to heal. We understand that it is often difficult to stop a long-term habit. The American cancer Society offers an excellent "STOP SMOKING" program, and they may be reached at 214-631-3862.

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