Lumbar Discectomy (Lower Back Spine Disc Surgery)
Lumbar Endoscopic Discectomy
Lumbar Endoscopic Discectomy is a minimally invasive alternative to the open surgical approach for lumbar discectomy. It is indicated in a patient with a herniated disc, experiencing lower back and leg pain. However, the choice between a lumbar endoscopic discectomy and an open procedure depends on the preference of the surgeon and the condition of the patient.
Before the procedure
In the days before your surgery, tell your surgeon about any medications you take at home, including herbal supplements and over-the-counter medications. You may be asked to stop taking aspirin or other medications that thin your blood and may increase bleeding.
- Tell your surgeon if you or someone in your family has any history of reaction to general anesthesia.
- If you smoke, you may be asked to stop smoking well before surgery and avoid smoking for a period of time after surgery.
- Before surgery, you will probably be given instructions on when to stop eating and drinking. It’s common to have nothing to eat or drink after midnight on the night before the procedure.
- Ask your surgeon if you should take your regular medications with a small sip of water on the day of the procedure.
FAQS
Frequently asked questions about surgical procedures
Can I use my insurance and get these prices?
Payment is due 14 calendar days prior to your surgery date. If, after the cutoff, your account is not settled, your case must be postponed.
How quickly can I have surgery?
How will I meet my surgeon?
If I had a car or work accident, would you work with my employer or attorney for payment?
What if I get sick right before my surgery?
You could develop a respiratory infection, a urinary tract infection, COVID, or some other condition that may necessitate postponement. There is no penalty when this happens.
What’s Included:
- Facility fee
- Graft and hardware costs (if needed)
- Surgeon and assistant surgeon fees
- Anesthesiologist
- Time in the recovery unit (at no additional charge)
- Initial consultation visit
- One post-operative visit
*Please note: If you choose not to proceed with surgery after the initial consultation, or if you delay your procedure for more than 6 weeks, you will need to update your consultation at a cost of $375.
What’s not included:
- Lab testing before and after the surgery, as needed
- Electrocardiogram (EKG), depending on age. If you had one elsewhere in the past 6 months and it read “normal”, we can forego this expense.
- Imaging costs. X-rays and MRIs can be obtained anywhere.
- Physical therapy services
- Medications you’ll need (oral or IV antibiotic infusions if an infection arises)
- Wound care
- Bracing supplies
- Additional doctor visits (a pre-operative visit with the surgeon, in person, and any required post-op follow-ups after the suture removal to monitor your progress
- Additional surgical intervention if a complication arises
- Additional imaging or hospital care if a blood clot develops
During the procedure
The patient lies face down on the operating table. The patient is then administered a mild sedative to keep them relaxed throughout the procedure. A small incision is made on the skin over the back of the patient, just above the disc space. A thin wire is inserted through the incision till it touches the damaged area of the spine under fluoroscopic guidance. A tube is then inserted through the same incision, over the guide wire. The endoscope and other special micro-surgical instruments are introduced through this tube, and the segment of the herniated disc compressing the nerves is removed. The endoscope and intra-operative fluoroscopy guide the surgeon throughout the procedure. The tube and the endoscope are then withdrawn, and the incision is closed.
What to expect after your surgery
After the procedure
The patient is usually discharged home on the same day of the surgery. Most patients experience a significant reduction in their back and leg pain after the procedure. The numbness and tingling sensations may take some time to resolve. The patients are advised to avoid bending, lifting, or twisting for a few weeks after the procedure. There are chances of recurrence of a herniation at the same level, which can cause the back and leg pain to reappear.
Risks of the procedure
Lumbar Endoscopic Discectomy is a relatively safe procedure. However, all surgeries carry some risks. You will need to sign a consent form that explains the risks and benefits of the surgery. Some potential risks of cervical spine surgery include:
- Reactions to the anesthesia
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Nerve injury
- Spinal fluid leak
- Voice change
- Loosened artificial disk
- Need for further surgery
There may be other risks, depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your surgeon before the procedure.
Can I Travel to St George for Surgery?
Yes, and we’ll help you make all your arrangements.
- We have arrangements to try to obtain free flights through a non-profit volunteer pilot organization. We can do this with 10 days’ advance notice in most cases.
- We have discount codes for the Holiday Inn in town. This hotel is 1.5 miles from the surgery center and 2 miles from our clinic.
- We’ll arrange to send your after-surgery medications to your hometown pharmacy for pickup before you leave.
What if I would rather drive to St George?
No problem, we can help with those plans as well. When you have surgery with us, we’ll need to make sure you’re safe and comfortable after surgery. We’ll arrange cold compression therapy that requires an AC/DC adaptor/transformer and frequent stops to stretch and refill the ice reservoir on the road.
We’ll ask about the vehicle you’ll travel in to ensure you have a way to elevate and stretch out in the vehicle on the road while someone else does the driving.
How are follow-up and initial consultations handled?
In-person and telehealth consultations are possible with the surgeon to whom your case is assigned. The initial visit is included in the surgical package and is valued at $375.
We can also obtain the flights from the volunteer pilot nonprofit if you’d like to come for initial and follow-up visits in person. One follow-up visit is included in the surgical package at a value of $175. Any additional visits are charged at the time of service to your credit or debit card.
Transparent Pricing Guide
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