My Sisters Surgery
My sister has been having serious back problems with symptoms similar to (although much more severe) the pain and numbness that I have. However, her MRI and tests have made her doctors conclude that she needs to have the following surgery. Everything from here on out is from her Xanga page..but it still scares the crap out of me too!
"Microdiscectomy spine surgery procedure:
A microdiscectomy spine surgery is performed through a small (1 inch to 1 1/2 inch) incision in the midline of the low back.
First, the back muscles (erector spinae) are lifted off the bony arch (lamina) of the spine. Since these back muscles run vertically, they can be moved out of the way rather than cut.
The surgeon is then able to enter the spine by removing a membrane over the nerve roots (ligamentum flavum), and uses either operating glasses (loupes) or an operating microscope to visualize the nerve root.
Often, a small portion of the inside facet joint is removed both to facilitate access to the nerve root and to relieve pressure over the nerve.
The nerve root is then gently moved to the side and the disc material is removed from under the nerve root.
That sounds scary.
I've changed my mind.
I can limp for the rest of my life.
Seriously.
The nerve root is gently moved to the side????
Is that supposed to make me feel better?
Well, it doesn't."
"Microdiscectomy spine surgery procedure:
A microdiscectomy spine surgery is performed through a small (1 inch to 1 1/2 inch) incision in the midline of the low back.
First, the back muscles (erector spinae) are lifted off the bony arch (lamina) of the spine. Since these back muscles run vertically, they can be moved out of the way rather than cut.
The surgeon is then able to enter the spine by removing a membrane over the nerve roots (ligamentum flavum), and uses either operating glasses (loupes) or an operating microscope to visualize the nerve root.
Often, a small portion of the inside facet joint is removed both to facilitate access to the nerve root and to relieve pressure over the nerve.
The nerve root is then gently moved to the side and the disc material is removed from under the nerve root.
That sounds scary.
I've changed my mind.
I can limp for the rest of my life.
Seriously.
The nerve root is gently moved to the side????
Is that supposed to make me feel better?
Well, it doesn't."