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METRX™ MICROENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY
SYSTEM The Purpose of this Information This information is being provided to you in order to prepare you to make decisions about your own health care. If you should ultimately decide that surgery is the best treatment option for you, this information will help you understand what happens during a microendoscopic discectomy and will help you prepare for your role in the healing and recovery process. Read it thoroughly and answer the questions in this section before making your final decision about your treatment options. The Health Care Team's Role The duty of your health care team is to:
The Patient's Responsibilites You are the only one who can decide to have surgery. It is important that you take ownership of this decision, recognizing the limitations your particular physical condition places on the potential success of each of the treatment options. If you choose to have surgery, your physical condition and your mental attitude will determine your body's ability to heal. You must approach your surgery with confidence, a positive attitude, and a thorough understanding of the anticipated outcome. You should have realistic goals - and work steadily to achieve these goals. The decision to have or not to have surgery includes weighing the risks and benefits involved. You will make the final decision, so ask questions about anything you do not understand. Since medical care is tailored to each person's needs and differences, not all information presented here will apply to the patient's treatment or its outcome. Seek the advice of your physician and other members of the health care team for specific information about the patient's medical condition.
(170.3K) NOTE: If there is anything you do not understand about the information provided in this website, it is your responsibility to ask a member of your health care team for assistance before you make your final decision.
Anatomy of the Lumbar Spine The Spinal Column and the Vertebrae Your spinal column consists of 24 separate bones, called vertebrae, plus the five fused bones of the sacrum and the four fused bone of the coccyx (often referred to as the "tail bone") (Fig. 1). The vertebrae are stacked one on top of another and can be divided into:
Support for the Vertebral (Spinal) Column Attached to the vertebrae are muscles, tendons and a group of strong bands, called ligaments. Together, they support the spinal column and help to protect its delicate nerves. The Role of the Vertebral (Spinal) Column Your spinal column enables you to walk upright. It is the central support for your upper body and carries the weight of your head, chest and arms. The vertebrae in the lumbar (or lower back) portion of your spine carry the majority of this weight. The constant pressure from this weight, even when you are simply sitting in a chair, is what usually leads to problems associated with the lower back. The Role of the Intervertebral Discs The bony vertebrae of your spinal column are separated from one another by "pads" of tough cartilage, called intervertebral discs (Fig. 2, above). These discs act like "shock absorbers" during activity, allowing the spine to move freely. How a disc "ruptures" (bulges outward) is shown in the drawing to the right (Fig. 2, above) and will be discussed in detail in the following sections. The Intervertebral Disc Nucleus The center of each intervertebral disc is made up of a gelatin-like substance (the nucleus ), surrounded by a fiber-like outer lining (the annulus) (Fig. 3). As your body ages, the disc's nucleus beings to stiffen. This reduces flexibility and increases the chances that a disc may "rupture," especially in the lumbar spine which carries so much of your body's weight.
The Spinal Canal The spinal cord, which begins at the base of the brain and runs within the spinal canal, ends in the lumbar spine area in a bundle of nerves known as the cauda equina (Figs. 3 & 4). The spinal canal runs through the center of the spinal column and protects the spinal cord and other delicate spinal nerves.
The Spinal Nerve Roots At each vertebral level, a pair of nerves branch off from the spinal cord or the cauda equina (one to the left and one to the right). These spinal nerve roots are part of the body's "electrical" system, carrying "current" (for sensation and movement) to specific parts of the body (Fig. 4). The nerve roots are protected by an "insulated" covering in the same way a "live" electrical line is coated to prevent direct contact with the bare wire. A nerve root damaged by a ruptured disc may have all or part of its "insulation" rubbed off at the point of injury. Prior to surgery there is no way of telling how much has been rubbed off or how much damage has been done to the nerve (the body's "live electrical wire"). | ||
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