Diskectomy for a Herniated Disk

A diskectomy is a surgery, and the paperwork around it is dense. Learn the plain definition first, then bring questions to your clinician.

If you are in Wayne and have heard the word diskectomy for a herniated disk, the definition is short. For a wider view of pain care, start with a general pain management resource.

What a diskectomy is

OrthoInfo (AAOS) defines the term in one sentence. Diskectomy involves removing the damaged portion of a herniated disk.

Read that sentence for its scope. The surgery targets the damaged portion of the disk. It is not described as removing the whole disk.

The newer option to ask about

OrthoInfo (AAOS) also names a second route on its page about a herniated disk in the lower back. A newer surgical option for treating a single herniated disk is endoscopic diskectomy.

Note the word single. The option is described for one herniated disk. Ask your surgeon how many disks are involved in your case.

Surgery, recovery and cost questions for your clinician

Who should have surgery, plus the recovery times, risks, and costs, are all for your own clinician to answer. Do not fill those gaps with guesses.

Your next step

Write three questions before your visit. Does a diskectomy fit my herniated disk? Is the endoscopic version an option for me? Where do treatments like epidural steroid injections fit in my plan?

Bring the list to a clinician in the Wayne area. Whether surgery fits your disk is a decision for you and your surgeon. It is not medical advice.