Disadvantages of an operation | Disc herniation surgery

Disadvantages of an operation

The risks of surgery for herniated discs are described in detail in the following text section. In addition to the general risks of surgery and the associated anesthesia, there are special complications that can occur depending on the surgical procedure used. These include injury to structures in the vicinity of the surgical field, for example, injury to nerves, vessels or internal organs.

The risks of anaesthesia have been significantly reduced by the increasing use of minimally invasive procedures with local anaesthesia. The most significant disadvantage for many patients is the uncertainty whether the operation of the herniated disc will really lead to an improvement of their complaints. Since back pain is often not only caused by the herniated disc, but also by incorrect strain on the musculature and lack of movement, the operation does not always lead to complete freedom from pain.

Here, special exercises are essential for strengthening the back muscles. Since invasive surgical procedures alter the statics of the spine and may result in injury to surrounding structures, pain may be increased by the operation in rare cases. Minimally invasive procedures, on the other hand, often lead to an improvement in back pain.

Recurrences of a herniated disc are possible despite surgery. A further disadvantage is the fact that the minimally invasive procedure involves a slight exposure to X-rays, as the position of the surgical instruments must be checked intraoperatively with X-rays. In summary, the better outcome of the operated patients with regard to freedom from symptoms must be pointed out. For absolute surgical indications such as bladder and rectum disorders or acute paralysis, surgery is the only possible therapy for a herniated disc.

Risks of a disc surgery

Thanks to medical progress, herniated discs are nowadays operated on within the framework of a minimally invasive procedure. In general, the risks of the operation are very low, but possible complications can never be completely excluded. Intraoperatively, unexpected problems can occur, which lead to an acute worsening of the patient’s situation.

As with most operations, there is a general risk of complications such as secondary bleeding, infection of the wound, severe pain and swelling during and after the operation. The risk of thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is also increased after surgery. There may be specific problems associated with disc surgery in the lumbar spine area.

These include injuries to vessels and nerve roots, the peritoneum or intestines, injuries to the bladder and ureter, and erectile dysfunction in men. The risk of injury to internal organs is particularly high during operations on the lower lumbar spine. Similar operations in the area of the cervical spine can lead to damage to vessels and nerves.

Since important structures for voice formation run through the cervical region, injuries to the responsible nerves can in rare cases lead to temporary hoarseness (recurrent paresis). In addition to these general risks, there are special complications about which the attending physician should inform before the procedure. If the intervertebral disc is replaced by an artificial disc during a disc surgery, this prosthesis can cause problems.

If the implant does not fit properly or grows incorrectly into the surrounding tissue, it can become increasingly loose or wander. It may sink in and also detach from the bone, which in turn may cause nerve compression. This results in symptoms such as tingling, numbness or functional failure of various body structures.

This depends on the height of the vertebral body to be operated on. Furthermore, the patient’s mobility in the spine can also be restricted due to the loosening of the prosthesis. In some cases, the above-mentioned complications can lead to the need for another operation to remove the implant and replace it with a new one.

The doctor must now consider whether another surgical technique is more suitable for the patient. Furthermore, the inserted implants can wear out after years and then no longer achieve the desired effect. In these cases a new operation may also be indicated.