Herniated Disc Relief: 3 Benefits of Decompression Surgery

That stabbing pain, unpleasant tingling, or strange numbness could be your spinal disc pressing on a nerve. At Advanced Neurosurgery in Reno and Carson City, Nevada, our renowned neurosurgeons specialize in herniated disc decompression, a group of innovative minimally invasive procedures that help patients break free from the frustrating cycle of back pain.

Understanding decompression surgery

Decompression surgery is a broad term that refers to several minimally invasive techniques that relieve pressure on spinal nerves. Depending on your specific situation, your treatment may involve one of the following procedures:

• Microdiscectomy: removes part of a herniated disc
• Laminectomy: removes the vertebral lamina to relieve nerve pressure
• Laminotomy: removes part of the lamina to create space
• Discectomy: removes a damaged or herniated disc
• Spinal fusion: joins vertebrae to stabilize the spine
• Disc replacement: replaces a damaged disc to keep motion

While not everyone with a herniated disc needs surgery, many patients experience life-changing results when conservative treatments like medication or physical therapy haven’t brought relief.

Three main benefits are:

1. Long-term pain relief

One of the most immediate and noticeable benefits of decompression surgery is a dramatic lessening of pain. Herniated discs often press on highly sensitive spinal nerves, causing localized pain, numbness, tingling, or even shooting pain that radiates down one leg.

When your surgeon removes the part of the disc or bone that’s pressing on your nerves, it eliminates the root cause of the pain.

Many patients report dramatic improvement within days of surgery, especially when nerve compression was causing sciatica or other radiating symptoms. Relief can last for a decade or longer.

2. Improved function

Herniated discs don't just cause pain; they can lead to functional problems when the bulging disc presses on nearby spinal nerves or the spinal cord.

This pressure can disrupt nerve signals, causing muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, and even coordination and balance issues. In severe cases, such as with cauda equina syndrome, a herniated disc can affect nerves that control the bladder or bowel, leading to loss of control, an urgent medical issue.

Chronic pain and nerve compression can limit your range of motion and keep you from doing the activities you love. Even basic tasks like walking, standing, or sitting comfortably may become challenging or impossible.

Over time, limited movement severely erodes your quality of life. Decompression surgery helps restore normal nerve signaling, which allows your muscles to recover and move more freely.

With physical therapy and proper post-op care, many patients regain strength and flexibility that they haven’t experienced in years or even decades.

3. Faster recovery

Our surgeons use minimally invasive approaches and state-of-the-art techniques for surgical decompression whenever possible.

That means smaller incisions, less disruption to surrounding tissues, and a shorter recovery period compared to traditional open surgery.

At Advanced Neurosurgery, we use the most advanced imaging technology, comprehensive physical exams, and in-depth reviews of your medical history to plan your treatment. This ensures you get a personalized approach that minimizes downtime and maximizes results.

Although recovery times vary depending on the type of decompression surgery you need, many patients return to work and daily activities much sooner than they expected. For people who have spent months, years, or even a lifetime dealing with disabling pain, the relatively short recovery period is worth the many years of relief.

If back or neck pain from a herniated disc is holding you back, decompression surgery may be the answer. Advanced Neurosurgery is ready to help you understand your options and guide you toward the treatment that fits your needs and lifestyle.

Give us a call to book your consultation. We’re proud to serve patients throughout Reno, Carson City, and the surrounding Northern Nevada communities.