Diskectomy

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	Bones of the spine	Cauda equina
Spinal stenosis	Spine supporting structures

(Page 2)

Diskectomy is done when a herniated disk makes you have:

• Leg pain or numbness that is very bad or is not going away, making it hard to do daily tasks
• Weakness in muscles of your lower leg or buttocks
• An inability to control bowel movements or urination

If you are having problems with your bowels or bladder, or the pain is so bad that strong pain drugs do not help, you will probably have surgery right away.

Most other people with low back or neck pain, numbness, or even mild weakness are often first treated without surgery. Anti-inflammatory medications [such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)], physical therapy, and exercise are often first treatments. Over time, many of the symptoms of low back pain caused by a herniated disk often get better or go away without surgery.

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You should talk with your doctor about what is right for you.

Always tell your doctor or nurse what drugs you are taking, even drugs or herbs you bought without a prescription.

During the days before the surgery:

• Prepare your home for when you come back from the hospital.
• If you are a smoker, you need to stop. Your recovery will be slower and possibly not as good if you continue to smoke. Ask your doctor for help.
• Two weeks before surgery, you may be asked to stop taking drugs that make it harder for your blood to clot. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and other drugs like these.
• If you have diabetes, heart disease, or other medical problems, your surgeon will ask you to see your regular doctor.
• Talk with your doctor if you have been drinking a lot of alcohol.
• Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of the surgery.
• Always let your doctor know about any cold, flu, fever, herpes breakout, or other illnesses you may have.
• You may want to visit the physical therapist to learn some exercises to do before surgery and to practice using crutches.

On the day of the surgery:

• You will usually be asked not to drink or eat anything for 6 to 12 hours before the procedure.
• Take your drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.
• Bring your cane, walker, or wheelchair if you have one already. Also bring shoes with flat, nonskid soles.
• Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.

Your doctor or nurse will ask you to get up and walk around as soon as your anesthesia wears off. Most people go home the day of surgery. Do NOT drive yourself home.

Most people have pain relief and can move better after surgery. Numbness and tingling should get better or disappear. Your pain, numbness, or weakness may NOT get better or go away if your disk damaged your nerve before surgery.

Talk with your doctor about how to prevent future back problems.

Review Date: 05/25/2010
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery (3/4/2009).

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).