Our orthopaedic surgeons and neurosugeons
At Mount Elizabeth Hospitals, our bone surgeons and neurosurgeons deliver unparalleled care that is focused on quality care and outcomes that are customised for your needs and goals.
A discectomy is a spinal surgery to treat a slipped (herniated) disc. To relieve pressure caused by a slipped disc, your doctor may remove:
If the entire disc must be removed, it can be replaced by another piece of bone or an interbody cage. An interbody cage is a hollow cylinder that is typically filled with bone fragments. It enables 2 vertebrae to grow through the holes and fuse together.
In general, there are 5 types of discectomy:
Lumbar discectomy removes part of the herniated disc to relieve pressure on the nerve. The procedure is performed on the lower back (lumbar spine) and can be an open surgery or minimally invasive 'keyhole' surgery.
Performed on the neck area, a cervical discectomy is used to remove a disc from the cervical spine. This procedure often fuses 2 cervical vertebrae with an implant or artificial disc.
Similar to a cervical discectomy, an anterior cervical discectomy removes a disc from the cervical spine. Instead of accessing the area through the back, this procedure accesses the spine through the throat area instead.
Microendoscopic discectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses small incisions to perform a discectomy. In contrast, 'open' surgeries use larger incisions to view and treat the area directly. Larger incisions enable improved exposure of the affected disc directly.
A discectomy fusion connects 2 vertebrae into a single piece of bone. This procedure may use interbody cages or bones.
Discectomy is an option if non-surgical alternatives such as physiotherapy, exercise and anti-inflammatory medicines are unsuccessful.
This procedure is generally considered safe and effective. Like all surgical procedures, however, there are some general risks, such as:
In a discectomy, the risks also include damage to the nerves in the spine or spinal fluid leakage.
With modern technology, facilities and a skilled team of specialists and staff in Singapore, Mount Elizabeth Hospitals offer quality orthopaedic care. You can be assured of holistic care that lowers recovery time and improves success rates.
At Mount Elizabeth Hospitals, our bone surgeons and neurosurgeons deliver unparalleled care that is focused on quality care and outcomes that are customised for your needs and goals.
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