Troy
Memphis, TN
Troy has had two spine surgeries to repair two herniated discs; the first an open procedure, the second minimally invasive spine surgery.
About seven years ago I was diagnosed with two herniated discs. I was working for a trucking company while I was in college, and I hurt my back. The herniated discs were at the L4-L5 level and the L5-S1 level. The L4-L5 was operated on while I was in college.
The other herniated disc level was not causing me any pain. But about five years later, I was playing golf and the minute I felt that back pain I knew what it was. It was the same pain that I felt before. So, I called Dr. Maurice Smith at Semmes-Murphey Clinic and scheduled an appointment. He prescribed some pain medication, and we tried some conservative treatment, such as physical therapy. Then about three weeks later he took an MRI and said that he would need to operate.
Dr. Smith scheduled a different surgery than the one I had earlier. This minimally invasive spine surgery would be done through a small incision with the METRx® System. I went to the hospital around noon, the surgery started around three and I was back at home at eight o'clock, with reduced pain. I took the next day off from work. I was back in the office Monday and that following Friday left for a 10-week trip in Europe.
The interesting thing about my case is the fact that the earlier surgery I had was an open microdiscectomy, which this microscopic discectomy surgery I had for the second herniated disc improved upon. With the open procedure, my surgery was longer, I was under general anesthesia, I had a larger incision with stitches that had to be removed two weeks post-op, I was in the hospital for three days and I had to have IV antibiotics. It was a full-blown surgical procedure. I was still sore when I went home because they cut through a major back muscle in order to reach the disc, and I remained sore for at least two to three weeks.
With the microscopic procedure using the METRx® System, I only had to have an epidural after the surgery. The major difference between the two is instead of making a large incision and cutting through the large back muscle, the surgeon makes a small incision and uses tubes, gradually adding one on top of the other until he is able to do the surgery. There is no cutting of the back muscle.
It is important that you discuss the potential risks, complications, and benefits of the METRx® System with your doctor prior to receiving treatment, and that you rely on your physician's judgment. Only your doctor can determine whether you are a suitable candidate for this treatment.
As you read this please keep in mind that all treatment and outcome results are specific to the individual patient. Results may vary. Complications, such as infection, blood loss, or nerve damage are some of the potential adverse risks of spinal surgery. Please consult your physician for a complete list of indications, warnings, precautions, adverse events, clinical results, and other important medical information.
