Lumbar Endoscopic Discectomy

Lumbar Endoscopic Discectomy
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Medical Procedures

Having any type of procedure done can be extremely overwhelming and stressful. Having one done on your back is enough to make you cringe just thinking about it. The best way to handle a medical procedure that has to be done is begun by accepting that it has to be done, then educating ones self about the procedure itself. The goal here is to educate the reader and possibly take some fear away from the procedure itself.

What to Expect

If you are having a lumbar endoscopic discectomy , then chances are good that you have a herniated disc. A herniated disc causes the individual to have a great deal of lower back pain as well as leg pain. Other measures will have been tried and found to be ineffective before moving on to this procedure.The ruptured part of the disc needs to be removed in order for the pain to stop.

The procedure itself tends to take less than ab hour. Scarring is minimal as the incision is very small, often less than 2 cm. This surgery is generally performed using general anesthetic, so the patient should inform the doctor before the procedure of any allergies, heart conditions or other health conditions they may suffer form so as not to be affected badly by the anesthetic.

Patients are usually able to be completely mobile upon waking form the surgery, but they usually need to take 4 to 6 weeks off from work in order to give their body time to heal properly and not damage the disc further. It’s important to note that not the entire disc is removed, only the portion that is ruptured.The endoscope makes this surgery easier to perform by enhancing the images so that the surgeon has a clear view of the disc and the portion that is ruptured.

Patients should be prepared to spend a brief amount of time in the hospital during recovery from the surgery, but are often able to leave the same day. Normally, physical therapy is not a part of recovering from the lumbar endoscopic discectomy. However, patients should remember that they have just had a procedure done and take care not to place too much stress on the lower back until they are completely healed from the procedure.

As with any procedure, make sure that you plan ahead so that you are able to heal properly before committing further injuries. Patients should make doctors aware of any previous reactions or allergies to medication as well as letting them know about any current medications they are on to avoid conflicting prescriptions.

References: drjho.com