Alexander Taghva, M.D., F.A.A.N.S., is a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in all types of spinal surgeries. Dr. Taghva is an expert in minimally invasive spine surgery orange county and offers microdiscectomy to help patients suffering from a herniated lumbar disc find relief.

Before Microdiscectomy: Functions of the spine

A system of bones, called vertebrae, connect to form your spine. The vertebrae are lined up in your spinal canal, surrounding and protecting your spinal cord and the nerves that travel from your spinal cord to other parts of your body.

The brain communicates information like temperature and pain through these nerves. It also moves your muscles by sending information to the connected nerves, down your spinal cord and through the rest of your body.

A disc and two facet joints connect your vertebrae. A spinal disc is made up of strong tissues that absorb shock and hold the vertebrae together. The discs and joints allow for movement, such as being able to rotate your neck to move your head in whatever direction you choose.

Two parts make up every disc: the tougher outer layer (annulus fibrosus) and the gel-like center (nucleus pulposus). The center of the discs gradually deteriorates and loses water as a result of age, which begins lowering the disc’s effectiveness as a shock absorber. As you get older, the outer layer may begin to tear, leaving an opening for the disc’s center to shift out of place, compressing against the nerves in the spinal cord and causing pain.

What is Microdiscectomy?

Lumbar microdiscectomy, sometimes known as microdecompression, is a surgical procedure that is used to treat spinal stenosis and herniated discs in the lumbar region (lower back). The goal is to relieve pressure by removing a small portion of the disc that is pressing on the nerves.

Candidates for Microdecompression in Mission Viejo, CA

When a herniated lumbar disc is pinching a spinal nerve root or roots and causing chronic pain, minimally invasive spine surgery mission viejo may be recommended. Usually, Dr. Taghva will suggest surgical treatment when symptoms have not improved despite physical therapy, medication, or other therapies. Lumbar microdiscectomy may be performed in our Orange County practice when a patient displays:

• Weakness, numbness, or notable pain in the leg(s) or feet
• Leg pain (sciatica) that outweighs any back pain
• Visible disc displacement showing in diagnostic tests and/or scans (MRI, CT, myelogram, etc.)
• Weakness in the leg(s), lack or loss of feeling near the groin or genitals, and/or inability to control bowels or bladder

Posterior lumbar discectomy can help to treat leg pain resulting from:

A bulging/herniated disc

The gel-like nucleus inside of the disc leaks or swells against a thin section in its surrounding annulus, or membrane. When this material presses against a nerve it causes pain, swelling, or irritation.

Degenerative disc disease

Bone spurs begin to grow and the facet joints become inflamed as age begins to wear out the discs. The outer wall begins shrinking due to lack of water, leading to rigidity. The spaces between the discs shrink in response, leading to spinal stenosis and/or herniated discs.

Your Microdiscectomy Consultation

Before scheduling microdecompression surgery, you will need to attend a consultation with Dr. Taghva in his Orange County location. He will begin the meeting by looking over your medical history and examining any medical images taken by your primary care doctor or another specialist. He will also ask you questions about your symptoms and any previous treatments.

If Dr. Taghva feels you are a good candidate for microdecompression at his Orange County office, he will explain the procedure and recovery in detail and invite you to ask questions. He may also recommend a different treatment, either surgical or non-surgical.

Other treatment options with Dr. Taghva include every type of spine surgery for the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Some of these include but are not limited to:

• lumbar discectomy
• foraminotomy
• laminotomy
• Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion orange county

Spinal fusion treatments like lateral fusion, anterior lumbar interbody fusion, and posterior lumbar fusion are also available, as are surgical techniques for pain disorders such as spinal cord stimulation orange county and microvascular decompression. Dr. Taghva will evaluate your case during the consultation and make a treatment recommendation based on your individual needs. He may suggest trying additional non-surgical treatments before turning to surgery, as many herniated discs resolve without the need for surgical intervention.

Preparing for Microdecompression Surgery

Pre-surgical tests (blood tests, x-rays, etc.) may be required, and all appropriate forms, waivers, and a complete medical history will need to be filled out. Be sure to list all medications, as some may need to be paused or have their dosage altered before the surgery and during the recovery period.

All non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and blood thinners need to be stopped 1-2 weeks before surgery or as directed by the doctor. Refrain from all drugs and alcohol 1 week before, and 2 weeks after surgery, to avoid bleeding issues. Patients who smoke will need to quit well in advance of the surgery.

Patients will need to arrange for a ride to and from the procedure for safety reasons. Microdiscectomy is typically performed on an outpatient basis, but patients will be given anesthesia and pain medication and should not drive themselves home.

Microdecompression Procedure

Dr. Taghva typically performs minimally invasive microdiscectomy in Mission Viejo, CA, on an outpatient basis. The surgery begins with the patient reclined on their stomach. General anesthesia is administered so that the patient remains comfortably asleep throughout the procedure.

A small incision (around 1-2 centimeters) is made in the back near the problem disc. Using an endoscope and other specialized tools, the surgeon can access the spine without needing to cut into the surrounding soft tissues and muscles.

The back muscles (erector spinae), and any other muscles and tissues obstructing the bony arch (lamina) of the spine are gradually dilated with specialized tubular retractors that make a tunnel to the vertebrae. Images may be taken to ensure that the correct vertebra has been exposed.

Around the spinal nerve, drills or other bone working tools make openings in the bone so that the herniated disc can be repaired. A surgical microscope or operating glasses are utilized by the surgeon to find the disc, carefully removing the protective covering of the nerve root as he does so and moving it aside.

While total disc replacement (replacing a damaged disc with an artificial disc) is an option, the microdecompression procedure only removes the broken part of the disc causing the compression, as well as anything else causing damage or inflammation, like bone spurs.

Once the procedure is complete, the muscles are gently adjusted back into place and the incision is closed up and held together with sterilized medical strips to encourage the skin to heal. The procedure usually lasts an hour and patients tend to be sent home the same day.

Recovery from Microdiscectomy procedure

Most microdecompression patients stay in our Orange County facility for only a few hours after surgery, though others may be asked to stay 1-2 days to ensure proper aftercare, including movement, mobility, hygiene, and pain management.

Pain medication is usually limited to analgesics like aspirin and ibuprofen. Take only the medication prescribed by the doctor, and ice the incision often to maintain swelling and reduce pain, about every 15-20 mins.

Patients that go through a microdiscectomy are usually asked to refrain from strenuous activity for 1-4 weeks. Patients with jobs that require heavy lifting, such as occupations in construction or manufacturing, may be asked to stay home from work for 8-12 weeks to allow the spine time to heal.

Call the doctor if you experience fever, swelling, numbness, tingling, tenderness, or infection after the surgery. You will schedule several follow-up appointments with Dr. Taghva to ensure that you are healing properly and to see if any additional surgery or treatment may be needed.

Why Choose Dr. Alexander Taghva for Microdiscectomy in Orange County?

Dr. Alexander Taghva’s Mission Viejo practice serves patients from all over Orange County and Southern California, including Laguna Beach and Long Beach. He is known as one of the best spine surgeons in the region for microdiscectomy, microdecompression, and other minimally invasive spine surgeries. He is the only neurosurgeon in Orange County offering endoscopic spine surgery procedures, a technique that significantly reduces surgical trauma.

Patients choose Dr. Taghva for his dedication, training, and expertise. He is patient-focused and participates in ongoing research to improve treatment options for patients experiencing neurological and spine disorders. His in-depth knowledge of spinal stenosis, chronic pain, alternative treatments, spine surgery revision, and Parkinson’s disease allow him to tailor treatment plans to suit each patient’s needs.

FAQs About Microdecompression Surgery

Leave Leg Pain Behind: Schedule an Appointment with Alexander Taghva, M.D., F.A.A.N.S.

Talk to your doctor if you think you may need treatment from a specialist for spinal conditions. To learn more about your treatment options for disc problems, call Dr. Alexander Taghva’s medical group at 949-388-7190 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Taghva will evaluate your candidacy for microdiscectomy in Mission Viejo, CA, and make a custom treatment recommendation based on your spinal health needs.