Methods of Treatment
Herniated discs which have not resulted in palsy or a so called kaudasyndrom, can be treated without surgery. The symptoms often degenerate with conservative methods of treatment such as physiotherapy, heat therapy, relief therapy and/or medicamentous pain therapy.
In order to treat continuous symptoms or an increasing palsy, surgical treatment may be necessary. In this case the following methods are particularly relevant:
The classic (open) method
Today, this conventional method is generally only used in surgeries in which the access to the operating field has to be as wide as possible. In this case the patient is under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a 3 – 7 cm cut, loosens the musculature, moves the connective tissue and removes bone substances (osseous substances) before being able to remove the perturbing (troublesome) tissue. The disadvantages include possible negative after-effects such as limited mobility or nerve and vascular injuries.
Microsurgery
With the patient under general anesthesia, the surgeon frees the constricted nerve root and removes the leaked gelatinous substance and worn parts of the intervertebral disc. The advantage? A higher accuracy level than with the classic surgery is possible.
Endoscopic Surgery (“keyhole technique”)
Modern operation methods are increasingly replacing classic open surgical treatments. The most developed method is the so-called minimally invasive surgery, which is also used for operations concerning the intervertebral disc. Here, surgeons use sophisticated instruments and devices to enter through a “keyhole”, and no longer need a scalpel. This endoscopic technique enables exceptionally gentle intervertebral disc surgeries. The usual 5-10 cm cut is no longer necessary. The surgeon undertakes the surgery through a small, fingernail-like cut instead. In addition, the patient only requires local anesthesia.
