Microdiscectomy Surgery (Microdecompression)
Long Island

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Microdiscectomy to Reduce Nerve Compression

Microdiscectomy surgery on Long Island (microdecompression) is a minimally invasive spine surgery for patients suffering from severe spinal disorders that cause nerve compression, such as degenerative disc disease and disc herniation. The procedure involves using a specialized robotic microscope to decompress the affected nerve roots and remove the damaged components of the spine, thus alleviating pressure on the nerves. This procedure alleviates the symptoms of nerve radiculopathy.

The microdiscectomy procedure is performed using a surgical microscope that decompresses the pinched nerve roots and spinal cord. The surgeon carefully spreads the muscles and soft tissues around the damaged discs, ensuring minimal muscular disruption. Furthermore, the incision used for this procedure is extremely small, minimizing the need for extended downtime. This is one of the least invasive techniques to remove diseased discs and restore spine stability.

Situations When Microdiscectomy is Needed

Microdiscectomy is meant for patients suffering from major spinal disorders related to spinal discs, such as degenerative disc disease and disc herniation. The spinal discs act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae — they minimize spinal friction and facilitate smooth, painless movements. When the spinal discs are worn down, damaged, or torn, their bone spurs may pinch or compress the surrounding nerve roots. The soft, jelly-like nucleus may also leak into the spinal canal and pinch the nerve roots.

Microdiscectomy surgery on Long Island involves the surgical removal of the damaged or herniated discs, or at least the damaged components of the disc. The surgeon also decompresses the affected nerve roots, thus alleviating the symptoms of radiculopathy. But this treatment is a last-resort option if all other non-invasive solutions (physical therapy, chiropractic care, and injections) fail to yield the desired results. Dr. Kakoulides exhausts all non-surgical treatment options before recommending minimally invasive spine surgery.

Your surgeon may recommend microdiscectomy as the first treatment option if you have symptoms of severe nerve compression. Myelopathy is a disorder of the spinal cord that leads to various neurologic symptoms, such as muscle weakness, numbness and tingling sensations, the loss of mobility, the loss of bladder control, and the possibility of paralysis. If you experience the aforementioned neurologic symptoms, you may need a minimally invasive spine surgery without delay.

review before microdiscectomy surgery in long island

Microdiscectomy: Benefits

  • Performed as a minimally invasive procedure
  • Only involves one small incision spanning 16-18mm
  • Involves minimal muscle and soft tissue disruption
  • Negligible loss of blood during the procedure
  • Optimal precision and safety
  • Alleviates symptoms of nerve compression
  • Removes the damaged or herniated discs
  • Involves minimal downtime and recovery period

Microdiscectomy: Your Journey

Dr. Kakoulides performs minimally invasive microdiscectomy surgery on Long Island (microdecompression) under general anesthesia. He makes an ultra-small band-aid incision on the skin’s surface and inserts a special microsurgical tool for the procedure. Under fluoroscopic guidance, he uses a microsurgical retractor with narrow tubes to dilate the soft tissues, thus accessing the underlying spine with minimal disruption of the muscles.

Dr. Kakoulides makes a small window on the vertebrae to access the compressed nerve within the spinal canal. The affected nerve is manually decompressed by shifting it away, following which the ruptured discs are removed. In some cases, the surgeon may only have to remove the damaged components of the disc, and not the entire disc. The surgeon also studies the affected nerves to ensure there is no compression.

microdiscectomy surgery in long island

Microdiscectomy: Recovery & Aftercare

Dr. Kakoulides will provide a detailed overview of your recovery and aftercare guidelines after your microdiscectomy surgery on Long Island, including the incision care, activity limitations, medications, and precautions. Depending on the location of the surgery, you may have to wear cervical or lumbar braces to stabilize the spine and encourage smooth healing. Dr. Kakoulides will accompany you through every stage of the recovery process, maintaining a direct line of communication.

Microdiscectomy Surgery Success Story

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