Rhizotomy and why they are needed
The human spine is made up of many independent parts. Most people are aware of the existence of vertebrae and the intervertebral disc material, but they only make up a portion of the entire spine.
Back pain is an issue that can be life altering. It is also a very common problem that people experience and most of us will have back pain that some time in our life. At times, it goes beyond being a nuisance or an inconvenience and it can truly be chronic in nature. That is the case with a herniated disc and although there may be many different options that are available to treat this problem, a microdiscectomy is one that is often considered. Dr. Dickerman can assist you in overcoming your back problem by performing this or other procedures, including the possibility for nonsurgical procedures.
A herniated disc occurs when one of the intervertebral discs is damaged or has a pressure applied to it. There is a gel like substance in the middle of the disc that could leak out and may apply pressure to a nearby nerve. Not everybody who has a herniated disc is going to experience symptoms such as pain, numbness and tingling. It really depends upon the area where the herniation occurs and if it is coming to rest on a nerve or not.
Dr. Dickerman will look at your specific case and will often consider nonsurgical options prior to the time that a microdiscectomy is suggested. Some of the various nonsurgical options that may be considered include physical therapy, chiropractic care, medication or spinal injections. Those options are offered to help control the symptoms but sometimes, a surgical option is needed. With a microdiscectomy, the pressure that is being placed on the nerve root can be removed. This can help with symptoms such as pain, tingling and numbness. It is commonly considered when sciatica is a problem, because it can help to relieve some of the symptoms you may be experiencing in your hip or legs.
This procedure involves removing a small portion of the bone that is located over top of the nerve root. It may also remove part of the bone that is above the disc material. It is also known as a micro decompression and it is effective at relieving leg pain because it helps to free up the nerve by offering some additional space for the herniated disc to exist. Many people who have this type of procedure will experience immediate relief for their leg pain. If other neurological symptoms exist in the foot or leg such as numbness and weakness, it may take some time for the nerve root to heal fully and those symptoms to subside.
Although you may have many options for spine care, Dr. Dickerman offers quality treatment and has helped many people in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including many athletes. If you live in Frisco, Richardson, Plano or throughout the Dallas Metroplex, you can trust Dr. Dickerman to provide you with the options that are going to help you through this difficult time. If this type of surgery is offered, he can perform it with a high rate of success. Contact his office for more information about your spine problem.