At NJ Spine and Wellness, our spine specialists can help you address your pain and allow you to regain control of your life with a lumbar discectomy surgery.

If you’re suffering from a herniated disc, you already know how painful and debilitating this condition can be. Not only can it compress or otherwise irritate the nerves in and around your spine, but it can also hinder your mobility and cause severe pain that radiates through your arms and legs. While conservative treatments, like pain medication and physical therapy, can help treat a herniated disc, in some cases, a more aggressive approach may be necessary — a discectomy.

We offer clinics across the state of New Jersey, including:

  • East Brunswick
  • Matawan
  • Freehold
  • Old Bridge

What Is a Discectomy?

Also known as a disc removal surgery, a discectomy is a procedure performed under general anesthesia. During this operation, small portions of bone and/or ligament may be removed so we can gain access to the affected disc. In some cases, only a fragment of the disc will need to be removed; in others, we may use a piece of bone from a donor or your own pelvis to fill the empty space before the adjoining vertebrae are fused together.

How Can You Prepare for a Discectomy?

Since a discectomy requires the use of general anesthesia, you’ll likely need to refrain from eating or drinking for a certain period prior to the surgery. If you are on blood-thinning medications, you should consider altering your dosing schedule to avoid complications during and after the procedure. Either way, your NJ Spine and Wellness discectomy doctor can give you specific instructions.

What Symptoms or Conditions Can Result in a Discectomy?

While a discectomy is designed to relieve the pressure of a herniated disc, there may be some telltale symptoms and conditions that determine if the procedure is right for you. While it’s always a good idea to consult with your NJ Spine and Wellness specialist, some indicators that a discectomy is needed include:

  • Difficulty walking or standing
  • Excruciating pain that radiates to your buttocks or legs, arms, and chest/li>
  • A failure to properly address the issue through conservative treatments like steroidal injections or physical therapy

How Long Does It Take for Nerves to Recover From a Discectomy?

For many patients, the recovery time for your nerves after a lumbar discectomy surgery is about four to six weeks, but it’s important to note this can vary from case to case — it’s even possible you may be feeling back to normal before that time. Our team of disc removal surgeons will consult with you on your specific situation and what to expect throughout the journey.

Contact Us Today for More Information

A herniated disc can sideline your entire life, but you don’t have to go it alone. From cutting-edge treatments and state-of-the-art procedures, the team at NJ Spine and Wellness can help you Get Better Faster. For more information to see if a lumbar discectomy is right for you, schedule an appointment at one of our New Jersey locations in East Brunswick, Freehold, Matawan, or Old Bridge today.

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