OrthoGeorgia Spine Surgeon Ryan E. Schnetzer, MD Discusses Lumbar Herniated Disc

The following is a transcription of the above video featuring OrthoGeorgia spine specialist Dr. Ryan Schnetzer. You’ll learn more about lumbar herniated discs, including how this issue is diagnosed and treated both surgically and non-surgically.

What is a Lumbar Herniated Disc?

My name is Dr. Ryan Schnetzer. I’m an orthopedic spine surgeon here at OrthoGeorgia. So, today, we’re going to talk a little bit about lumbar herniated discs. I’ve got a model here of a lumbar spine and what you can see are the vertebral bodies or the bones. Starting at the bottom, we have L5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. In between each of the bones, there’s a disc. And, back in the back where the tube and the nerves are, the nerves come out here on the side of what we call the foramen. When you have a herniated disc, you can see as in this model, a piece of the disc can come out either straight back or off to the side and hit one of these nerve roots, causing pain that goes down your leg. This is usually in a fairly predictable pattern to where the nerves run down to the leg. So, it’ll go down to, depending on which nerve it is that’s being affected, will go down to a different part of your leg, and we’re able to tell that based on our exam and talking to you.

How are Lumbar Herniated Discs Treated?

The good thing about a herniated disc is that a majority of these will get better on their own, usually within about two to three months. We like to start with fairly conservative treatment, usually with some oral medications, either over the counter, like Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or maybe even a prescription anti-inflammatory. We can follow that up with either a steroid dose pack or intramuscular steroid shot. We like to get you started on some physical therapy, where they can do some nerve root exercises and some stretching that can help relieve the symptoms. A lot of this we’re trying to do is just to treat the symptoms and get you through and allow your body to heal this up on its own, because a lot of these will get better without any kind of surgical treatment. 

When is Surgery Needed for a Lumbar Herniated Disc?

Things that would prompt us to surgery are if you’re having significant weakness or the pain is too severe that you’re unable to do your normal activities. Another thing that would prompt us is if this just doesn’t get better. I like to give people a minimum of three months to try to heal up on their own. If within three months they’re not getting better, then we will discuss surgery. 

Microdiscectomy in Central GA

The surgery to fix a disc herniation is fairly straightforward. It’s what we call a microdiscectomy; it’s a minimally invasive procedure where we’re able to come through the back. We dissect down along the edge of the bone here. This is the lamina on each side. We’re able to make a small little space between the two lamina, and we’re able to retract the nerves off to the side to allow us direct access to the disc, and we’re able to pull that small piece of herniated disc off. This doesn’t require fusion. The procedure itself usually takes between 45 minutes and an hour, and it takes about six weeks to eight weeks to heal up. So, if you’re having pain in your back that is radiating down your leg, please give us a call at OrthoGeorgia.

Spine Surgery and Care at OrthoGeorgia

At our offices in Macon, Warner Robins, Kathleen, Milledgeville, and Dublin, our interdisciplinary team has decades of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of neck and back injuries and conditions of all kinds. Using state-of-the-art diagnostics and minimally invasive treatment techniques, our spine specialists, nurse practitioners, and physical therapists provide personalized care to patients of all ages. Whether you are dealing with chronic back pain or a recent neck injury, OrthoGeorgia is here for you. Contact your nearest OrthoGeorgia location to schedule an appointment today!