Lumbar discectomy

Extrusion of an intervertebral disc can cause compression of a spinal nerve leading to pain, sensory changes, or weakness of the leg. When non-operative measures fail to relieve symptoms, surgery may be needed. The surgical technique is known as a lumbar microdiscectomy which involves removal of the extruded disc fragment thereby relieving the pressure on the involved nerve.

An incision is made in the lower back and the muscle and other tissue covering the bones are moved to the side. The amount of bone removal depends on the specific situation. During a laminectomy, the entire or part of the lamina (roof of spinal canal) are removed. A foraminotomy may also be performed which involves enlarging the foramina (small openings through which nerve roots exit). Removal of a very small amount of lamina is called a laminotomy (often performed during microdiscectomy).