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Nerve Decompression Procedures

A pinched nerve in the back can cause excessive pain when left untreated. The application of pain relief drugs may temporarily help the pain from a pinched nerve but in many cases the pain is too much. Doctors use several methods to decompress pinched nerves.

  1. Diabetic Neuropathy

    • Swelling of the nerves due to diabetes should be treated with surgery under the advise from a physician. Diabetes that is mismanaged can cause nerves to swell in the body. If the nerve that has swollen is in a narrow area, the nerve will cause tingling, numbness and pain. The surgeon opens the area where the nerve is compressed by dividing whatever ligament crosses the nerve. This gives the nerve room to grow and swell, relieving the pain. This is the same procedure used for nerve compression in carpal tunnel syndrome.

    Microdiscectomy Procedure

    • Microdiscectomy procedure should be performed in the case of nerve compression in the back. During microdiscectomy procedure a small portion of the bone covering and compressing a swollen nerve is removed to allow the nerve room. A small incision is made in the back and the back muscles are lifted up off the spinal area. The surgeon enters the spinal area by removing a membrane. The surgeon uses a microscope to find the affected nerve. The nerve is moved to the side then the bone portion is removed. Recovery from this procedure is short, the patient usually being released the next day.

    Lumbar Laminectomy

    • A lumbar laminectomy is similar to the microdiscectomy. A small incision is made in the back and the back muscles are removed from the spine. The spinal canal is reached by cutting away the membrane. The compressed nerve is found using a microscope. Nerve compression usually occurs due to a disc in the back pushing out the nerve. The surgeon will push the compressed nerve back into place and remove any material that is causing compression on the nerve. A spinal fusion, where the discs of the spine are sewn together, may be performed to lower the chances of a repeat incident.

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