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Microsurgery for Lower Back Problems

Microsurgery is a form of outpatient surgery that doctors may recommend for lower back pain. Doctors may perform a lumbar microdiscectomy to relieve pressure on a nerve in the lumbar area of the spine or lower back.

  1. Lower Back Pain

    • According to the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, lower back and leg pain and problems can result from a herniated disc in the lower spine that pinches a nearby nerve root.

    Lumbar Microdiscectomy

    • Doctors use a surgical microscope during a lumbar microdiscectomy and make a small incision in the lower back to remove a portion of a herniated disc that presses on a nerve root. A physician applies a dressing to the incision site after the incision is closed, and the patient often leaves the hospital and returns home the day of the microsurgery.

    Reasons for Surgery

    • Patients may require a lumbar microdiscectomy to relieve leg pain, improve incontinence of the bladder or bowel or to treat numbness or weakness in the legs or feet.

    Recovery

    • Doctors may recommend that a patient begin walking around the day of surgery but avoid heavy lifting, twisting or bending while the surgical dressing is in place. Patients need to make a follow-up appointment with their doctors to replace or remove the dressing from the incision site.

    Complications

    • See a doctor right away if a fever develops or if the incision site shows signs of infection such as drainage, redness or warmth.

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