About Shoulder replacement
The shoulder is a ball and socket joint. In patients with shoulder arthritis the cartilage on the ball and socket deteriorates. As this process worsens, the joint surfaces become rough and this makes the shoulder stiff and painful. This surgery replaces the damaged surfaces of the joint with artificial parts and aims to reduce your shoulder pain and improve your movement. A total shoulder replacement is where both the ball and the socket components are replaced. Depending on the damage to your shoulder, your surgeon may replace just the ball component - a procedure called a hemiarthroplasty.
About Discectomy
Discectomy is a surgical treatment of pain caused by a prolapsed disc. It is the surgical removal of the disc material that is irritating the nerve root. It is performed in patients who have on-going pain that has not been eased by rest or injections, or who develop progressive neurological signs and symptoms such as weakness and numbness.
The Procedure
Endoscopic discectomy (laser)
It is a modern minimally invasive technique that doesn’t require bone removal, destruction of muscles or large skin incisions. Instead we use the endoscope under fluoroscopic guidance, to ensure precision and best visualization of the intervertebral space that is suffering. Depending on the location of the herniated disc, cervical or lumbar, the operation can be carried out either in supine, prone or lateral position. Then with the aid of fluoroscopy we localize the intervertebral disc space that suffers. Initially a guide wire is introduced in the intervertebral disc. With this guide wire special tubes are gradually introduced in order to widen the opening for installation of the endoscopic system. Subsequently the endoscopic discectomy takes place using special instruments. At the end of the procedure the endoscopic system is removed and the incision is sutured with one or two stitches.
Microscopic discectomy (laser)
An operating microscope is used to aid in removing the offending disc thereby minimising the incision and violation of adjoining structures.
Advantages of Endoscopic/ Microscopic Discectomy:
- Minimally Invasive
- Short hospitalization time (day surgery)
- Ensures Spine mobility
- Minimal blood loss
- Small size incision (1.5 cm)
- Less morbidity
- Faster rehabilitation
Are you a candidate for Discectomy?
Here are factors to consider:
- Do you have an intractable pain radiating to legs despite rest and medications?
- Do you have weakness in the leg/ foot/toes?
- Do you experience difficulty in urination/defecation?
- Is there significant numbness in the lower limbs?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, then Discectomy surgery is worth exploring.
Post Op Recovery
The patient remains in the hospital 12 to 24 hours and may return to normal activity in a few days.