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Risks

By Mayo Clinic staff

Diskectomy is generally a safe procedure. But as with any surgery, diskectomy carries a risk of complications. Potential complications include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Leaking spinal fluid
  • Injury to blood vessels or nerves in and around the spine
  • Injury to the protective layer surrounding the spine
How you prepare Why it's done
References
  1. Williams KD, et al. Lumbar disc disease. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-4/0/1584/0.html. Accessed May 3, 2011.
  2. Williams KD, et al. Cervical disc disease. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-4/0/1584/0.html. Accessed May 3, 2011.
  3. Open discectomy. North American Spine Society. http://www.knowyourback.org/Documents/open_discectomy.pdf. Accessed May 3, 2011.
  4. Herniated cervical disc. North American Spine Society. http://www.knowyourback.org/Documents/herniated_cervical.pdf. Accessed May 3, 2011.
  5. Cervical radiculopathy: Surgical treatment options. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00540. Accessed May 3, 2011.
MY00673 July 7, 2011

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