The vertebrae (bony part ) of the spine are separated by cushion like discs that help in protecting the spinal column, and when one of these discs moves out of its place (herniation )than the soft gel inside pushes through the wall of the disc. The disc then places pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that comes out of the spinal column. Discectomy is a surgery that is done to remove the portions of the herniated disc or the nucleus pulposus which exerts pressure. The main objective of this procedure is to remove the part of the herniated disc that is pinching or putting pressure on the nerve roots and by this means relieve the pain and numbness and permit recovery of any weakness that may have developed because of the herniated disks.
Spinal Discectomy procedure is done when a herniated disk causes one or all of these problems like numbness or pain in legs, weakness in muscles of lower leg or buttocks and failure in controlling urination or bowel movements.