Eifert Had a Disc Removed

[oncemoreuntothejimbreech]

(04-11-2017, 10:59 PM)bengalbiff Wrote: I checked the procedure out.  It's to relieve pain.  But the crazy thing is that there isn't evidence to prove that it is better than not having surgery.   I hope it relieves his pain and he is able to live pain free. If he returns and is the same guy he was before then that's great but really just a bonus.

Yep.  Some people get better, some people get worse, many have no change.  After two years, there is almost no difference in pain relief between the patients who had surgery and the ones who didn't.

http://www.medicaldaily.com/pros-and-complications-microdiscectomy-and-why-tiger-woods-missing-masters-back-surgery-273900

Quote:During a microdiscectomy, surgeons create a small incision in the lower back, after which the back muscles are lifted off the arch of the spine. The surgeon then removes a membrane over the nerve roots, visible through special glasses. The nerve root is then moved over, giving the doctor the chance to remove the disc material. It’s a surgery that can be done in one day, with no requirement for the patient to stay in the hospital overnight. Pain is often relieved immediately after the surgery, and patients are able to go back to their normal lives shortly after.

Though the success rate of this type of procedure is usually 90 percent or higher, there are chances for complications, which include dural tears, nerve root damage, bladder incontinence or bleeding. Most of the time, however, the operation is safe, effective, and rarely results in recurrent herniated discs. It appears Woods' operation was successful, and he will be back on the playing field this summer.

Woods played in 16 tournaments in 2013 before his surgery.  Since his surgery in 2014 in played in 11 tournaments in 2015, had a second back surgery, missed all of 2016, and played in one tournament in 2017.  And he is a golfer.  And his surgery was a "success."