The most common procedure is a discectomy, which involves removing the soft gel-like material in the disc. This procedure returns the disc to a more normal shape, relieving the pressure on the nerve. Neurosurgeons sometimes also remove a small piece of bone near the disc and irritated nerve to gain access to the disc or to give the area more space to expand and swell in the future. If the nerve is being pinched as it goes through the opening in the bone on the way to or from the spinal cord, the neurosurgeon can also perform a foraminotomy, which is a procedure designed to expand the opening the nerve travels through. With the spinal cord and nerves millimeters away, precision and delicacy are keys to a successful and safe procedure.
Neurosurgeons often use an operating microscope to help magnify the nerves and discs.
The neurosurgeon performs the procedure while viewing the affected area through a large microscope and this technique allows for better precision and a smaller incision. Surgery is recommended when Leg pain limits your normal activity, resulting in diminished quality of life. You feel weakness or numbness in your legs. It is difficult to walk or stand. Medication and physical therapy are ineffective.