The decision to perform surgery for a lumbar disc herniation is made based on imaging methods and the patient's neurological examination. The timing of surgical treatment is also very important in patients with a lumbar disc herniation. When the herniation is pressing on the spinal cord or a nerve root, the compressing part of the herniated disc is removed during the operation, relieving the pressure on the nerve.
Different methods, such as open surgery and endoscopic lumbar disc surgery, can be used in lumbar disc herniation operations. These methods are chosen according to the technical facilities of the hospital and the experience of the surgeon.
There are two situations in lumbar disc herniation that require emergency surgery. The first is called foot drop. This is a condition in which the foot on the side of the compressed nerve cannot be lifted upward at the ankle. If surgery is performed within the first six hours, it usually recovers almost completely. Surgery should not be delayed beyond the first 24 hours. Every hour of delay will hinder recovery from the loss of strength.
The second emergency is the inability to hold urine or to urinate. In these patients, either bladder control is completely lost—in which case the patient constantly leaks urine—or the patient cannot completely empty the bladder. Although there is a frequent urge to urinate, there is no feeling of relief.
Even outside emergencies, if a lumbar disc herniation has reached a stage that requires surgery, waiting for a long time may cause the loss of strength and sensory disturbances to become permanent.
The information on our website is not intended to direct individuals to any treatment. Do not take any diagnostic or treatment steps without consulting your doctor. The content does not contain information about İzmir Can Hastanesi's therapeutic healthcare services.
