Does a Bulging Disc Require Surgery?

Typically, a bulging disc will not require surgery to treat the condition. However, there may be specific bulging disc cases that require more than just the standard conservative treatment methods. When this is the case, surgery can come into play as a viable option. However, it is important to note that surgery is generally reserved for only a small portion of patients suffering from degenerative spine conditions like bulging discs.

Open Spine Surgery

Historically, bulging disc surgery has been performed as an open procedure. Open surgery entails a large incision into the neck, back, or abdomen, depending on the location and direction of the disc protrusion. General anesthesia is administered to sedate a patient during the surgery. Depending on the degree of severity of the bulging disc and overall health of the spine, a couple of different surgical procedures may be performed, such as a discectomy (removal of an intervertebral disc) and spinal fusion. After surgery, an overnight hospital stay is typically required. Upon release from the hospital, a long and strenuous recovery and rehabilitative process awaits.

Endoscopic Surgery - The Minimally Invasive Alternative

A popular alternative to open bulging disc surgery, however, is what is known as endoscopic surgery. The common perception of endoscopic procedures is that they are new and unconventional, but they have actually been performed for several decades now and are considered to be a safe and effective alternative to open surgery. In endoscopic procedures, the use of a small endoscope connected to a television monitor guides a laser and surgical tools through a series of tubes down to the affected disc. Unlike open surgery, these minimally invasive procedures do not require a hospital stay, use only local anesthesia and deep IV sedation, require an incision no larger than one inch in length, and allow for a drastically shorter recovery period.