Diskectomy - Mayo Clinic
COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options
Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version.This content does not have an Arabic version. Search Request an Appointment Find a Doctor Find a Job Give Now Log in to Patient Account English Español العربية 简体中文 Twitter Facebook Pinterest YouTube Menu Request an Appointment Patient Care & Health Information Tests & Procedures Diskectomy
Print Overview
Diskectomy Open pop-up dialog box Close Diskectomy
Diskectomy
Diskectomy is the surgical removal of the damaged portion of a herniated disk in the spine. A herniated disk occurs when some of the softer material inside the disk pushes out through a crack in the tougher outside of the disk. This can irritate or press on nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness or weakness. Diskectomy is surgery to remove the damaged part of a disk in the spine that has its soft center pushing out through the tough outer lining. A herniated disk can irritate or press on nearby nerves. Diskectomy works best for treating pain that travels down the arms or legs from a compressed nerve. The procedure is less helpful for treating pain that's felt only in the back or neck. Most people who have back pain or neck pain find relief with other treatments, such as weight loss, arthritis medication or physical therapy. A health care provider might suggest diskectomy if other, nonsurgical treatments have not worked or if symptoms worsen. There are several ways to perform a diskectomy. Many surgeons prefer minimally invasive diskectomy, which uses small incisions and a microscope or tiny video camera for viewing the procedure. Products & Services
Book: Back and Neck HealthBook: Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain ReliefShow more products from Mayo Clinic Why it s done
A diskectomy is done to relieve the pressure a herniated disk (also called a slipped, ruptured or bulging disk or disk prolapse) places on a spinal nerve. A herniated disk occurs when some of the softer material inside the disk pushes out through a crack in the outer lining of the disk. A health care provider might recommend diskectomy if: Nerve weakness causes trouble standing or walking Conservative treatment, such as physical therapy or steroid injections, fails to improve symptoms after 6 to 12 weeks Pain travels into the buttocks, legs, arms or chest and becomes too much to manage Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Risks
Diskectomy is considered safe. But as with any surgery, diskectomy carries a risk of complications. Potential complications include: Bleeding Infection Leaking spinal fluid Injury to blood vessels or nerves in and around the spine How you prepare
You'll likely need to avoid eating and drinking for a certain amount of time before surgery. If you take blood-thinning medications, you may need to adjust how much you take before surgery. Your health care provider will give you specific instructions. What you can expect
During diskectomy
Surgeons usually perform diskectomy using general anesthesia, so you're not awake during the procedure. Ideally, just the piece of disk that's compressing the nerve is removed. However, small amounts of spinal bone and ligament might need to be removed to get to the herniated disk. If the whole disk must be taken out, your surgeon may need to fill the space with a piece of bone - taken from a deceased donor or from your own pelvis - or a synthetic bone substitute. The adjoining vertebrae are then fused together with metal instrumentation. After diskectomy
After surgery, you're moved to a recovery room where the health care team watches for complications from the surgery and anesthesia. You might be able to go home the day of surgery. But a short hospital stay might be needed - particularly for those who have serious medical conditions. Depending on the amount of lifting, walking and sitting your job involves, you may be able to return to work in 2 to 6 weeks. If you have a job that includes heavy lifting or operating heavy machinery, you might have to wait 6 to 8 weeks before returning to work. Results
Diskectomy reduces herniated disk symptoms in most people who have clear signs of a compressed nerve, such as pain that travels down the legs. However, relief from a diskectomy might not last a lifetime because it doesn't cure the cause of the disk becoming injured or herniated in the first place. To help prevent re-injury of the spine, it might help to attain and keep a healthy weight, eat a healthy diet, do low-impact exercises and limit activities that involve repeated bending, twisting or lifting. Clinical trials
Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Doctors & Departments July 01, 2022 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references Azar FM, et al. Degenerative disorders of the thoracic and lumbar spine. In: Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 18, 2022. Back pain. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/back-pain. Accessed April 18, 2022. Herniated disk in the lower back. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/herniated-disk-in-the-lower-back. Accessed April 18, 2022. Kothari MJ. Treatment and prognosis of cervical radiculopathy. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 18, 2022. Chou R. Subacute and chronic low back pain: Surgical treatment. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 18, 2022. Office of Patient Education. Spine surgery: Getting ready before and caring for yourself after. Mayo Clinic; 2019. Related
Back pain Diskectomy Herniated disk Pinched nerve Sciatica Show more related content Products & Services
Book: Back and Neck Health Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Diskectomy
AboutDoctors & Departments Advertisement
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book PRC-20393823 Patient Care & Health Information Tests & Procedures Diskectomy