When Does a Herniated Spinal Disc Require Surgery?

Ventura Neurosurgery Blog When Does a Herniated Spinal Disc Require Surgery?
When Does a Herniated Spinal Disc Require Surgery?

A herniated spinal disc is often a source of chronic back and neck pain. Whether you require surgery for this condition depends on several factors.

At Ventura Neurosurgery in Ventura, California, board-certified neurosurgeons David Westra, MD, and Dr. Katherine Wagner specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of herniated discs.

They use advanced diagnostic technologies to pinpoint the damaged disc and customize a care plan to alleviate disc-related symptoms. In this blog, Drs. Westra and Wagner break down the cause and treatment options for a herniated disc.

What causes a herniated disc?

Within your spine are protective discs that sit between your spinal vertebrae. These discs feature a sturdy outer shell and a soft, gel-like center that absorbs the shock of your movements, helping to maintain your spine's correct alignment.

Too much pressure on your spinal discs can rupture (herniate) the outer shell and force the disc’s center outward. The herniated disc material can press on your spinal nerves and trigger a range of painful symptoms.

Pressure on the discs can originate from degenerative changes that occur in the spine as you age. Aging contributes to the deterioration of the disc structure, allowing water to leak out and dry up the disc.

You may also be prone to developing a herniated disc due to:

While herniated discs are more common in older people, people of any age can experience persistent pain from a herniated disc that ultimately requires medical management.

When to get help for a herniated disc

You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Ventura Neurosurgery if you experience persistent symptoms that impact your quality of life or ability to stay active.

Symptoms of a herniated disc can affect your spine, arms, legs, and hips, and include:

If left untreated, a ruptured disc can lead to the loss of bowel and bladder control and physical disability. Drs. can accurately confirm a herniated disc and determine what treatment you need to find lasting symptom relief.

Who might need surgery for a herniated spinal disc?

Drs. Westra and Wagner always start with the most conservative approach. Such therapies may include oral medications and referrals for physical therapy. You may also benefit from epidural steroid injections. These injections deliver anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications directly into the epidural space of your spine, where your spinal nerves rest.

Surgery is typically a last-resort treatment option for people who continue to experience debilitating pain and other symptoms of a herniated disc. The goal of minimally invasive spine surgery is to remove part or all of the damaged disc that’s pressing on your nerves.

The Ventura Neurosurgery team offers several types of minimally invasive surgery to relieve pain from herniated discs. These include:

Microdiscectomy: This is a procedure in which your surgeon frees the nerve by removing small fragments of disc, bone, and ligament.

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF): In this procedure, your surgeon removes the problem disc and replaces it with a spacer filled with bone grafting material. The goal is to help two vertebrae grow into one solid bone (a process called fusion).

Extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF): The purpose is the same as for a TLIF. However, the approach differs. With a TLIF, the surgeon approaches the area from the back (posterior) through the muscles and often the facet joint. In contrast, an XLIF approach comes from the side (lateral), passing through the abdominal muscles (psoas) to reach the disc space.

All three minimally invasive surgeries have high success and satisfaction rates, ranging from 70% to 90%. 

If back pain is limiting your life, schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Ventura Neurosurgery today. Please call our office at 805-590-4365 or request an appointment through our online booking tool.