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Transforaminal Micro Discectomy

A transforaminal micro discectomy is performed if there is a herniated disc located within or on the outside of the foraminal canal – the opening between two vertebrae where a nerve root is exiting.

This outside-in approach is much more effective in removing certain types of herniated discs that otherwise would be difficult if not impossible to reach from the central spinal canal. The procedure is performed using operating magnifying glasses (loops), a surgical microscope, or an endoscope (TV camera) along with specialized retractors and micro surgical instruments.

Surgeons must be very careful not to injure or inflame the exiting nerve root during the operation or a condition called reflex sympathetic dystrophy may occur (RSD).

Transforaminal Microdiscectomy can treat the following conditions:

Herniated Intervertebral Disc