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Are Discectomy and Spinal Decompression the Same Thing?

Spine-related nerves can be affected by many things, one of which being a herniated spinal disc. To better understand the relationship between the spine-related nerves and a herniated disc, “decompression” and “discectomy” must be defined. ...
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How Easily Can Another Herniation Happen Following Microdiscectomy?

Out of more than 200,000 lower back discectomies performed in the United States each year, only 10 percent result in recurrent disc herniation. This conclusion is based on follow-up visits over the months and years after the initial ...
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What Is the Number of Years a Discectomy Typically Lasts?

For some patients, results from a discectomy or a less invasive microdiscectomy last indefinitely. Others may experience renewed discomfort several months or even years after surgery, which may be a sign of reherniation of the same spinal ...
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What Conditions Indicate a Microdiscectomy May Be Appropriate?

Surgery for a herniated spinal disc is seldom absolutely necessary. If conservative treatments are not providing sufficient relief, you may be ready to consider a microdiscectomy rather than a traditional discectomy, which is a more ...
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What Shoes Should I Wear Following a Discectomy?

Comfort is important following any type of surgery, including a discectomy or a less invasive microdiscectomy to relieve nerve pressure caused by a herniated spinal disc. This comfort extends to the shoes you wear as you recover. You ...
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How Often Is Surgery Necessary to Treat a Herniated Disc?

Herniated spinal discs are fairly common. Fortunately, surgery is not typically required for a herniated disc. In fact, only about 10 percent of herniated disc patients end up needing surgery, according to research cited by Harvard Health. ...
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Will I Be Able to Do Push-Ups After Having Microdiscectomy Surgery?

Exercise is typically beneficial after all types of spine surgery, including a microdiscectomy. However, there are certain forms of exercise that may be too stressful on a healing spine, and it is important to avoid reinjuring your spine ...
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Basics of Post-Microdiscectomy Incision Care

With virtually any type of surgery, there will be an incision. During a microdiscectomy, which is a less invasive form of a discectomy, the incision made is small, which can be beneficial for healing and recovery. However, you still need ...
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What Can Cause Post-Discectomy Nerve Pain?

After having a discectomy to remove the portion of spinal disc material that is irritating a nearby nerve, many patients eventually experience relief from their discomfort. With that being said, it is not unusual to have lingering ...
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Will I Need to Wear a Back Brace after I Have a Microdiscectomy?

A back brace provides added support for a healing spine. This can also include the time after having a microdiscectomy. While a back brace is not specifically required in many instances, some patients do benefit from using them. This ...
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