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Lumbar Procedures in Carmel, IN Microdiscectomy

Introduction to Microdiscectomy

Target Disc Compression and Relieve Nerve Pain

A herniated disc in your lower back can press on a nearby spinal nerve, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that might reach down your leg. If these symptoms don’t improve with non-surgical treatments, you may consider microdiscectomy.

Dr. Peter Swiatek at Indiana Spine Group in Carmel, Indianapolis, Westfield, and Kokomo, IN, is a fellowship-trained spine surgeon who treats disc herniations and other lumbar spine conditions.

He tailors treatment to each patient and always considers non-surgical options first. If surgery is needed, he aims to target the exact source of nerve compression and keep the procedure as minimal as possible.

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What is a Microdiscectomy?

A microdiscectomy is a surgery that relieves pressure on a spinal nerve caused by a herniated disc. It is most often done in the lower back when disc material has slipped out of place and is pressing on a nerve.

​During a microdiscectomy, Dr. Swiatek makes a minimally invasive incision in your lower back and uses special tools to reach the problem area. Sometimes, a small amount of bone or tissue is removed to get to the nerve, and then the part of the herniated disc pressing on the nerve is taken out.​

The goal is to relieve pressure on the affected nerve while preserving as much surrounding tissue as possible. Microdiscectomy only removes the part of the disc that is causing the nerve problem.

Not all herniated discs need surgery. Many get better with time, medication, physical therapy, injections, or other non-surgical treatments. Dr. Swiatek looks at your symptoms, test results, and how you’ve responded to past treatments before deciding if microdiscectomy is right for you.

Who Are the Best Candidates for a Microdiscectomy?

Microdiscectomy may be an option if you have a herniated disc in your lower back that’s causing serious nerve symptoms. Surgery is usually considered after a careful evaluation and if non-surgical treatments haven’t helped enough.

Potential candidates may include patients who:

  • Have a Confirmed Herniated Lumbar Disc: Imaging and a doctor’s exam can show if your herniated disc matches your symptoms.
  • Experience Ongoing Leg Pain: Pain that spreads into your buttocks or leg may mean a spinal nerve is irritated or compressed.
  • Have Numbness or Weakness: These nerve symptoms can happen when a herniated disc presses on a nerve.
  • Have Not Improved with Non-Surgical Care: Physical therapy, medication, injections, and other treatments are usually tried before surgery.

Microdiscectomy isn’t always the best choice for everyone with a herniated disc. Dr. Swiatek reviews each person’s situation to see whether surgery is likely to help.

What Are the Benefits of a Microdiscectomy?

If a herniated disc is pressing on a spinal nerve, taking out the part of the disc causing the pressure can bring real relief.​

Benefits of microdiscectomy are:

  • ​Relief From Nerve Pain in the Leg: Taking pressure off the nerve can ease pain that runs from your lower back into your buttocks or leg.
  • Improvement in Numbness, Tingling, and “Prickly” sensations: Easing nerve pressure can help lessen unusual feelings in your leg or foot.
  • A Focused Surgical Approach: Microdiscectomy removes only the part of the disc causing trouble, not the whole disc.
  • A Return to Normal Activities: After you start healing and Dr. Swiatek says it’s safe, you can slowly get back to work, exercise, and your usual routines.
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How to Begin Your Microdiscectomy Journey

If you have ongoing symptoms from a suspected or confirmed herniated disc, an evaluation can help decide if microdiscectomy or another treatment is right for you.

  • Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Swiatek at Indiana Spine Group in Carmel, Indianapolis, Westfield, or Kokomo: Talk about your symptoms, how long you’ve had them, what treatments you’ve tried, and how they affect your daily life.
  • Get Imaging: An MRI or other scan can show where the herniated disc is and if it’s pressing on a nerve.
  • Explore Your Options: Dr. Swiatek will talk with you about non-surgical treatments, including steroid injections, and explain when surgery might make sense for your situation.
  • Develop Your Treatment Plan: If microdiscectomy is recommended, Dr. Swiatek will explain the surgery, what recovery looks like, possible risks, and what to expect before and after the procedure.

What to Expect on the Day of Microdiscectomy Surgery

After you are under anesthesia, Dr. Swiatek will make a minimally invasive incision in your lower back to reach the affected area. He’ll use special tools to find the compressed nerve. Sometimes, a small amount of bone or tissue will be removed to reach the nerve, and the part of the herniated disc pressing on it will be taken out.​

Once the nerve is free, the incision will be closed from the inside-out.​

After surgery, you’ll be watched as you wake up from anesthesia. Your care team will give you instructions about medications, movement, wound care, activity limits, and follow-up visits. Most patients are discharged home the same day.

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Microdiscectomy Recovery

Your Guide to Post-Microdiscectomy Care

Many can start walking soon after surgery, but it’s important to follow activity restrictions while you heal.​

In the early recovery period, you may need to avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, or excessive bending or twisting. This is typically for a period of 6 weeks. Your care team will give you instructions based on your surgery and needs.

Leg pain from nerve pressure may get better soon after the nerve is freed, but numbness, weakness, or other nerve symptoms can take longer to go away. How long recovery takes also depends on how long the nerve was compressed before surgery.

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Follow-up visits let Dr. Swiatek check your progress and decide when you can slowly return to your normal activities.

How Much Does a Microdiscectomy Cost in Carmel, Indianapolis, Westfield, and Kokomo, IN?

The cost of microdiscectomy in Carmel, Indianapolis, Westfield, and Kokomo, IN, varies depending on your treatment plan and insurance coverage. Most insurance plans cover microdiscectomy surgery. Our billing department at Indiana Spine Group can give you more details about costs and insurance based on your treatment plan.​

To learn more or to set up a consultation with Dr. Swiatek, call (317) 428-5040.

Philosophy

Why Choose Dr. Swiatek?

Dr. Peter Swiatek is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon who treats disc herniations, degenerative lumbar disease, spinal deformity, trauma, failed spine surgery, and revision procedures.

Dr. Swiatek studied at Harvard University, went to medical school at the University of Michigan, trained in orthopedic surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and completed a spine surgery fellowship at the Rothman Institute and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.​

Dr. Swiatek uses evidence-based surgery and prefers non-surgical treatments when possible. If surgery is needed, he creates solutions customized to each patient and keeps the procedure as minimal as possible. He also has experience with new spine technologies, including robotics and motion-preserving techniques.

He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), North American Spine Society (NASS), and the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS).

Microdiscectomy FAQ’S

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Case Studies

He also specializes in repairing failed spine surgeries and revision spine procedures. Dr. Swiatek tailors his treatment plans to the needs of each of his patients, with a focus on non-operative management whenever possible. When surgery is necessary.

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