Endoscopic Discectomy – METRX

MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE SURGERY

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER SURGERY?

METRx® stands for Minimal Exposure Tubular Retractor. It’s a minimally invasive surgical procedure — so it requires only a very small incision — on your lumbar (low back) spine. The objective of any minimally invasive procedure is to accomplish the same results as traditional surgery while minimizing the trauma to soft tissue.

In this procedure, your Southeastern Spine Institute physician removes only the portion of your disc that’s pinching your spinal root nerve. The pinched root nerve causes the pain you feel.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE METRx® PROCEDURE

Your doctor makes a small incision in your lower back. The surgeon then inserts an endoscope, which has a surgical light and small camera. The endoscope helps your surgeon keep the incision as small as possible. The surgeon also may use an MRI or a fluoroscope to guide the actual surgery.

Once the surgeon has located the nerve impingement, they will remove the obstruction, whether it’s a ruptured portion of a disc or bone fragments that have broken off from the vertebra. After the surgeon has cleared the area for the root nerve, they will remove the endoscope and closes the incision.

RECOVERING FROM THE METRx® PROCEDURE

You may have some pain after the procedure, but oral medication should make your recovery comfortable. As your nerve heals, you also may have some leg pain, but this is temporary. Muscle spasms in your back or down your leg also may occur.

Please call our office after your procedure to schedule a follow-up appointment 10 to 14 days after your surgery.

Other tips:

• You can shower after your surgery; however, refrain from bathing or soaking for several days.
• We recommend that you do some walking exercises as soon as you can comfortably get on your feet.
• Sitting may make you sore, so we recommend that you limit your sitting to 10 to 15 minutes at a time.