3. disc prosthesis
To an increasing extent, intervertebral disc prostheses are also being used to imitate the function of a normal intervertebral disc and are intended in particular to protect against the dreaded spinal instability. To date, disc prostheses have been attested to have a long service life, but more extensive studies are still lacking. It remains to be seen how important the disc prosthesis will be in the future and which type of disc prosthesis will ultimately prevail. Since the topic of disc prosthesis is so extensive, it will not only be touched upon here. An intervertebral disc prosthesis can only be considered for relatively narrow indications, so the choice of an intervertebral disc prosthesis must be carefully weighed against a stiffening (spondylodesis).
Duration of an intervertebral disc – OP
The duration of the procedure depends on the surgical method used and also on the severity of the herniated disc. Minimally invasive procedures, which are performed using an endoscope, often last between 30 and 60 minutes. On the other hand, operations of more complicated disc herniations or those affecting several vertebral bodies can sometimes last longer than 120 minutes.
After the operation, the patient usually remains in hospital for about a week. The stay can also vary depending on the surgical method and individual healing process. During this time, the patient is supported by physiotherapy to help him or her get back into proper motion.
Even after the hospital stay, a longer regeneration is often planned. Some patients go to a rehabilitation clinic, others take advantage of outpatient physiotherapy. The duration of the sick leave thus depends on the follow-up treatment and can sometimes be more or less longer. In many cases, patients are first taken off sick for the next two to three weeks. Gradually, the patient becomes more mobile and can resume his or her job and leisure activities.
Advantages of an operation
A herniated disc can now be operated on minimally invasively and on an outpatient basis, sometimes only under local anaesthetic. If the indications for a surgical treatment of the herniated disc are fulfilled, it should be treated promptly. Surgical treatment of herniated disks has proven to be successful and shows very good results, so that most of those affected benefit from it.
The minimally invasive procedure does not result in larger scars, so that wound healing disorders rarely occur. In addition, the modern surgical technique allows a lateral access to the disc, which offers the advantage that surrounding structures in the spinal column such as ligaments and nerve tissue are extremely rarely damaged. The greatest advantage is the fact that patients who have undergone surgery experience symptom relief much more quickly than patients undergoing conservative treatment. In summary, it can be said that patients with a corresponding indication for surgery generally benefit from the procedures.
