What are the types of surgeries that are used to treat sciatica?

Posted on February 20 2019

Surgery options for sciatica include:

  • Discectomy or microdiscectomy: Both these involve the removal of all or part of the disc that is herniated and pushing of the nerve leading to symptoms. The difference between these is that microdiscectomy uses the microscopic magnification and works through a small cut or incision that uses small instruments. The recovery is quick in microdiscectomy.
Laminectomy or laminotomy: This involves lamina – a bony plate that safeguards the spinal cord and the canal. The former involves the removal of the entire lamina, while the latter removes just a part of it. This creates more space for the nerves, thus saving it from being compressed or pinched.