Microdiscectomy - Is it the last resort?

[admin]

There's a great story in the UK's Daily Mail, as reporter Jonathan Maitland tells the story of his 16 months of back pain. He tried a whole variety of treatments and therapies, including mainstream and alternative options.

His MRI showed a ruptured disc (otherwise knows as a herniated disc) and as his pain had become severe he eventually went for a microdiscectomy. The procedure took about 90 minutes. The next morning his pain had gone and two days later he went home from the hospital.

He refers to the effect of the operation as amazing, and 6 months later says he's as flexible as before the whole back pain started.

Have you had disc surgery? Share your story here.

[admin]

Here's an actual video of a lumbar micro disc surgery.

WARNING: this gets pretty gruesome showing you the actual surgery - but it gives you a good idea of what's involved

[admin]

This video both explains what a herniation is and then diagramatically shows the Hydro-discectomy - which is basically high pressure water being used to remove the disc material.



Apparently the operation only takes 30 minutes and afterwards the patient just has a band aid over the entry point.

Anyone had this done?