When you are preparing for a discectomy to relieve nerve compression and chronic pain, you probably have many questions about the procedure itself. One of the most common concerns patients have involves what happens to the disc after the surgeon removes the herniated portion. In this article, we take a closer look at the healing process and long-term changes to help you feel more confident about your discectomy recovery journey.
A discectomy is a surgical procedure designed to remove the herniated or damaged portion of a spinal disc that is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord. The surgeon does not remove the entire disc. Instead, they remove only the problematic fragment that is causing pain, numbness, or weakness. This targeted approach preserves as much of the natural disc structure as possible while relieving the immediate symptoms.
The remaining disc tissue stays in place to continue its essential role of cushioning the vertebrae and allowing spinal flexibility. But this naturally leads to the question of how the disc functions with part of it missing.
In the days and weeks immediately following a discectomy, the disc begins an important healing process. The area where tissue was removed starts to form scar tissue, which stabilizes the remaining disc structure. The body’s natural inflammatory response kicks in, bringing healing cells to the surgical site.
During this initial phase, the disc space may appear slightly different on imaging studies compared to before surgery. There is typically some reduction in disc height where the material was removed, though this varies depending on how much tissue the surgeon needed to extract. The surrounding muscles, ligaments, and bones also begin adapting to support the spine’s new configuration.
One of the most fascinating aspects of disc healing is that the body does not simply leave an empty space where the herniated material was removed. Over time, the disc undergoes several important changes:
Several months after surgery, the disc reaches a new equilibrium. Most patients find the remaining disc tissue continues to perform its essential functions reasonably well. The disc maintains enough height to preserve the spaces where nerves exit the spine, and it continues to allow normal spinal movement in most cases.
Research shows the majority of discectomy patients experience good long-term outcomes, with their discs remaining stable years after surgery. The key is that while the disc is changed, it is not destroyed. It adapts to its new state and, with proper care, can continue supporting the spine for many years.
The vertebrae above and below the affected disc also play a role in maintaining stability. The spine’s intricate system of muscles, ligaments, and bones work together to compensate for any minor changes in disc function, distributing forces more evenly across the spinal column.
While most discs heal well after discectomy, there is a small risk of recurrent herniation at the same level. This happens in approximately 5 to 15 percent of cases, typically within the first few months after surgery. When a recurrent herniation occurs, it means additional disc material has pushed through the same weakened area.
The risk of reherniation is why surgeons carefully evaluate how much disc material to remove. Taking out too little might not fully relieve symptoms, while removing too much could compromise disc stability. Adherence to postoperative restrictions, such as avoiding heavy lifting and excessive bending, significantly impacts the disc’s long-term health.
Several factors influence how well your disc heals and functions after discectomy:
You play a crucial role in your disc’s healing journey. Following your surgeon’s postoperative instructions carefully, attending physical therapy sessions, and making lifestyle modifications all contribute to optimal disc health. Most surgeons recommend a gradual return to activities, starting with gentle walking and progressing to more demanding exercises only after receiving medical clearance.
Core-strengthening exercises are particularly valuable because they build the muscular support system around the spine, taking pressure off the disc itself. Proper posture and body mechanics during daily activities also protect the healing disc from unnecessary stress.
After a discectomy, the disc embarks on a remarkable healing journey. While it will not return to its preinjury state, it adapts and continues functioning as a vital part of your spinal structure. With proper care, most patients experience excellent long-term results, with the disc remaining stable and pain-free for years to come. Understanding this process can help you make informed decisions about your care and maintain realistic expectations for your recovery.
Even though discectomy surgery is a common and generally quite successful form of back surgery, a hole is frequently left in the outer wall of the disc. In fact, patients with these large holes in their discs are more than twice as likely to reinjure themselves by having what is known as a reherniation. These reherniations often require additional surgery or even fusions. Fortunately, there is a new treatment specifically designed to close the large holes that are often left in spinal discs after discectomy surgery. Barricaid is a bone-anchored device proven to reduce reherniations, 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.
If you have any questions about the Barricaid treatment or how to get access to Barricaid, ask your doctor or contact us today.
For full benefit/risk information, please visit: https://www.barricaid.com/instructions.