The incidence of lumber intervertebral disc prolapsed is a common occurrence. It is the most expensive being condition, 80 % of population have at least one significant episode of low back pain, 80 % recover in 6 weeks only and 7 – 10 % develop chronic back pain. The most common dictum is back pain need not cripple you unless you let it. Back pain is usually not due to anything serious. Common causes are degeneration, abnormal posture, infection, fractures, tumors etc.
Patient present with Back Pain
-
Constant / Episodic, Gradual / Rapid Onset
-
Relation to posture Tingling
-
Numbness in Legs Weakness in legs
-
Bladder, bowel complaints
-
Pain and numbness increases on walking, received on rest
Although its treatment seldom involves surgery, each year around 10% of patients need surgery. Standard surgical treatment is disectomy with a posterior approach. Minimal Access Approach’ can be used while reducing the size of skin Incision (2cm) and access route (particularly in obese patients and in deeply located site of operation such as foraminal hernias or spinal canal stenosis). Apart from asthetic benefit, the shortened access and reduced length of the skin incision minimize post operative discomfort and allow for rapid resumption of normal physical activities including sports. This special technique uses special Medtronic company instruments (METRIX SYSTEM). This has been introduced in Nagpur at Wockhardt Hospital by us for the first time. It needs special expertise. This special instrument gives perfect quality of vision, Wide magnification of anatomic structure, provides great operating comfort and increases safety.
It has 95.98% success rate, associated with least complications. It is cheap and very much affordable. The patient is mobilized after recovery from the anesthesia. Physiotherapy is given immediately to mobilize the spine. The resumption of formal physical activities is encouraged as soon as possible particularly sports. There is no restriction on the patient after this operation. Reduced dimension of the access route minimizes muscular trauma & post operative pain. This facilitates rapid resumption of the physical activities. It is also associated with reduced rate of infection which is a crucial advantage of this unique technique. We do not prescribe any postoperative lumber belt.
MS, MCh (AIIMS Delhi)
Consultant : Neurosurgery
