Lumbar spine microsurgery
Understanding Lumbar Spine Microsurgery
If you're experiencing lower back pain, your consultant might suggest lumbar spine microsurgery to help relieve your discomfort. This procedure, called a microdiscectomy, is performed by our experienced spinal surgeons while you're under general anesthesia.
Here's how it works:
- Small Incision: The surgeon makes a tiny cut in your back.
- Microscope Assistance: Using a microscope, the surgeon carefully navigates to the affected area of your spine with the help of medical imaging.
- Removing the Problem: The surgeon removes the problematic tissue, usually part of a disc, to relieve pressure on the nerve.
This minimally invasive approach aims to reduce pain and help you get back to your daily activities more quickly. If you have any questions or concerns, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Before your lumbar spine microsurgery, your surgeon will discuss the specific risks based on your condition and overall health. Here are some general risks to be aware of:
Infection: Although the risk is lower due to the smaller incision, infections can still happen. Our operating rooms are designed to minimise this risk with laminar flow air conditions.
Blood Clots: These can occur after any surgery, especially in patients with certain pre-existing conditions. However, they are rare and can be treated effectively, often with medications like aspirin.
Nerve Damage: There is a small risk of damaging the nerves in your lower back, which could lead to sensory loss, weakness in the legs, or, in extreme cases, loss of bladder, bowel, or sexual function.
Unmet Expectations: Sometimes, the surgery may not fully relieve your pain or improve your function as much as expected.
Your surgeon will go over these risks in detail with you before the operation to ensure you are fully informed and comfortable with the procedure. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to ask. We're here to support you every step of the way.
After lumbar spine microsurgery, many patients notice some immediate relief as the pressure on the spinal nerve is reduced. However, the full benefits of the surgery may take several weeks to become apparent, and improvements in sensation or muscle strength can continue to develop over several months.
Once your pain has decreased enough, our expert physiotherapists will work with you to:
- Strengthen Your Spine: Helping you build strength in your back.
- Improve Balance and Coordination: Assisting you in regaining better balance and coordination.
Recovery is a gradual process, and our team is here to support you every step of the way to ensure the best possible outcome. If you have any questions or concerns during your recovery, please don't hesitate to reach out.
You may be covered by private medical insurance, or you may wish to consider spreading the cost of your surgery by opting for a monthly payment plan.
We aim to make our costs as transparent as possible, but it’s important to talk everything through in detail with your consultant at the time of your appointment. Some costs may be paid directly to the hospital, while others, such as your consultant fees, may be paid directly to the consultant.
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