Microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure designed to relieve pressure on spinal nerves caused by herniated discs. While this procedure has a high success rate, one potential complication that concerns both patients and surgeons is the formation of excessive scar tissue. This article will help you understand how to prevent scar tissue formation, which is crucial for achieving optimal long-term outcomes and maintaining the benefits of your surgery.
Scar tissue formation is a natural part of the healing process following any surgical procedure. However, when excessive scar tissue develops around the surgical site in the spine, it can potentially compress nerve roots and cause symptoms similar to those experienced before surgery. This condition, called epidural fibrosis, can lead to persistent back pain, leg pain, and reduced mobility.
Scar tissue typically begins to form within the first few weeks after surgery and continues for several months. During this critical period, the body’s natural healing response can sometimes become overactive, producing more fibrous tissue than necessary. Understanding this timeline helps patients take proactive steps to minimize excessive scarring.
One of the most effective ways to prevent excessive scar tissue formation is through appropriate physical activity early in the recovery process. Gentle movement and walking within the first 24–48 hours after surgery (as approved by your surgeon) can prevent adhesions from forming between healing tissues.
Start with short walks around your hospital room or home, gradually increasing the distance and duration. The key is to maintain movement without overexerting yourself. Prolonged bed rest, once thought to be beneficial, can actually increase the risk of scar tissue formation by allowing tissues to heal in static positions.
Your surgeon will provide specific guidelines about when to begin walking and what activities are safe during your initial microdiscectomy recovery period. Following these instructions precisely is essential for optimal healing while minimizing the risk of unwanted scar tissue.
Physical therapy plays a crucial role in preventing problematic scar tissue formation. A qualified physical therapist can guide you through specific exercises designed to maintain flexibility, prevent adhesions, and promote healthy tissue healing.
Gentle stretching exercises maintain the natural gliding motion between tissues, preventing them from adhering to one another during the healing process. These exercises typically begin within the first few weeks after surgery, depending on your surgeon’s recommendations and your individual healing progress.
Core strengthening exercises are equally important, since they support the spine and reduce stress on the surgical site. A strong core provides better spinal stability, which can minimize excessive movement that might contribute to increased scar tissue formation.
Range of motion exercises for the spine and surrounding muscles maintain flexibility and prevent stiffness that could lead to compensatory movement patterns. Your physical therapist will advance the length and difficulty of these exercises gradually, ensuring you do not overdo it while still promoting healthy tissue healing.
Excellent wound care is essential for preventing infection and promoting optimal healing conditions that lessen the extent of scarring. Keep your surgical incision clean and dry, following your surgeon’s specific instructions for wound care.
Watch for signs of infection, including increased redness, swelling, warmth, discharge, or fever. Infections can significantly increase scar tissue formation and compromise your surgical results. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any concerning symptoms.
Avoid submerging the incision in water until your surgeon says it is okay, typically after the wound has fully healed and sutures or staples have been removed. This usually occurs within 10–14 days after surgery.
Proper nutrition plays a vital role in tissue healing, and it can influence scar tissue formation. Focus on getting adequate protein, which provides the building blocks that are necessary for healthy tissue repair. Good protein sources include lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and nuts.
Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis and wound healing. Include plenty of citrus fruits, berries, leafy greens, and bell peppers in your diet. Vitamin E and zinc also support healthy wound healing, and they may curtail excessive scarring.
Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout your recovery. Proper hydration supports cellular function and transports nutrients to healing tissues while removing waste products that could interfere with optimal healing.
Your surgeon may recommend specific medical interventions to limit the formation of scar tissue. Some surgeons use anti-adhesion barriers during surgery, which are materials placed around the surgical site to prevent tissues from sticking together during healing.
Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with your surgeon. These visits allow your healthcare team to monitor your healing progress and identify any early signs of potential problems with excessive scar tissue. Timely intervention can often prevent minor issues from becoming major complications.
Some patients may benefit from epidural steroid injections if early signs of scar tissue formation are detected. These injections can reduce inflammation and may minimize further scar tissue development when administered at the appropriate time.
Avoid smoking and limit your alcohol consumption during your recovery period. Smoking significantly impairs wound healing and increases the risk of complications, including excessive scar tissue. Nicotine reduces blood flow to tissues, depriving them of oxygen and nutrients necessary for proper healing.
Maintain a healthy sleep schedule, since adequate rest is crucial for tissue repair and immune function. Poor sleep can delay healing and potentially contribute to increased inflammation and scar tissue formation.
Manage stress levels through relaxation techniques, gentle meditation, or other stress-reduction methods. Chronic stress can negatively impact healing and immune function, potentially affecting your recovery outcomes.
By taking these proactive steps during your recovery period, you can significantly improve your chances of achieving the best possible long-term outcomes from your surgery. Remember every patient’s recovery is unique, and what works best for one person may need to be modified for another. Work closely with your healthcare team to develop a personalized recovery plan that addresses your specific needs and circumstances. With proper care and attention to these prevention strategies, most patients can successfully minimize scar tissue formation and enjoy the full benefits of their microdiscectomy procedures.
Scar tissue forms differently in each individual. Similarly, pain levels and back surgery recovery time vary among microdiscectomy patients and depend on factors such as disc height and the size of the hole left in the outer ring of the disc after surgery. If the hole in the disc is larger than a standard pencil eraser, the patient has a significant risk of experiencing a reherniation. Patients with a large hole in the outer ring of the disc or the annulus are more than twice as likely to reherniate after surgery. These reherniations often require additional surgery or even a larger spinal fusion operation. Barricaid is a bone-anchored device shown to reduce reherniations by closing the hole in the disc after a discectomy, and 95 percent of Barricaid patients did not undergo a reoperation due to reherniation in a 2-year study timeframe. This treatment is done immediately following the discectomy—during the same operation—and does not require any additional incisions or time in the hospital.
For full benefit/risk information, please visit: https://www.barricaid.com/instructions.