Discectomy

Overview and Indications

Discectomy is a procedure used to treat patients with herniated disc(s), the condition where the intervertebral disc is injured, and its contents are bulging or protruding into the spinal canal. It is performed to remove a portion or all of the problem disc(s). Discs may be removed via microdiscectomy, discectomy in the lower part of the back and discectomy in the neck. Microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive procedure in which the surgeon uses a microscope to see the problem disc or discs during surgery. Discectomy in the lower part of the back or in the neck is often performed with laminectomy, foraminotomy or spinal fusion.