A diskectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a disk from the spine (or part of a disk) to relieve pain, numbness or weakness in the neck, back, arms or legs. These procedures are typically performed laparoscopically — small incisions and laparoscope with a camera and surgical instruments attached. Patients who have laparoscopic diskectomies can usually go home the day of the surgery.
| National Minimum Price | $12,637 | (Searcy, AR) |
| National Average Price | $20,536 | |
| National Maximum Price | $34,753 | (Searcy, AR) |
| Price Range | |
|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD Diskectomy Cost Average | $10,300 - $28,100 |
| Boston, MA Diskectomy Cost Average | $17,900 - $49,000 |
| Denver, CO Diskectomy Cost Average | $11,700 - $32,000 |
| Detroit, MI Diskectomy Cost Average | $11,900 - $32,600 |
| Minneapolis, MN Diskectomy Cost Average | $13,100 - $35,900 |
| San Diego, CA Diskectomy Cost Average | $14,700 - $40,200 |
| San Francisco, CA Diskectomy Cost Average | $16,000 - $44,000 |
| Seattle, WA Diskectomy Cost Average | $12,700 - $34,700 |
| St. Louis, MO Diskectomy Cost Average | $10,600 - $29,200 |
| Tampa, FL Diskectomy Cost Average | $10,400 - $28,400 |
| Name | Location | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Adcare Hospital of Worcester | Worcester , MA | $21,500 - $59,100 |
| Fort Walton Beach Medical Center | Fort Walton Beach , FL | $15,700 - $43,200 |
| Knoxville Ambulatory Surgery Center | Knoxville , TN | $7,000 - $19,100 |
| Uab Medical West | Bessemer , AL | $13,200 - $36,200 |
| Southcrest Hospital | Tulsa , OK | $14,000 - $38,300 |
| Jordan Valley Medical Center | West Jordan , UT | $14,100 - $38,700 |
| Kingman Regional Medical Center | Kingman , AZ | $14,700 - $40,400 |
| Southwest Virginia Orthopedic and Spine | Christiansburg , VA | $8,600 - $23,600 |
| Norton Southwest Medical Center | Louisville , KY | $7,400 - $20,400 |
| Wichita Clinic Surgery Center | Wichita , KS | $7,100 - $19,500 |
| Santa Barbara Surgery Center | Santa Barbara , CA | $10,500 - $28,900 |
| Bronson Vicksburg Hospital | Vicksburg , MI | $16,600 - $45,700 |
| East Texas Medical Center Tyler | Tyler , TX | $15,000 - $41,100 |
| Mercy Hospital | Portland , ME | $15,800 - $43,300 |
| Ambulatory Surgery Center | Hattiesburg , MS | $6,800 - $18,600 |
| Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center | Yakima , WA | $19,000 - $52,200 |
| Surgical Center of Ct | Bridgeport , CT | $9,700 - $26,600 |
| The Reading Hospital Surgery Center at Spring Ridge | Wyomissing , PA | $7,300 - $20,100 |
| Mercy Medical Center Merced - Dominican Campus | Merced , CA | $22,200 - $61,000 |
| Ochsner Medical Center - Baton Rouge | Baton Rouge , LA | $13,300 - $36,600 |
| Duke Raleigh Hospital | Raleigh , NC | $15,700 - $43,200 |
| Pennock Hospital | Hastings , MI | $16,700 - $45,800 |
| Tullahoma Surgery Center | Tullahoma , TN | $6,800 - $18,500 |
| Rebsamen Medical Center | Jacksonville , AR | $12,700 - $35,000 |
| Emanuel Medical Center | Turlock , CA | $22,200 - $61,000 |
| The Hospital of Central Connecticut | Southington , CT | $19,200 - $52,600 |
| Beaufort Memorial Hospital | Beaufort , SC | $16,000 - $43,900 |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital | Minneapolis , MN | $15,900 - $43,600 |
| Sagamore Surgical Services | Lafayette , IN | $7,500 - $20,500 |
| Bakersfield Heart Hospital | Bakersfield , CA | $22,500 - $61,900 |
Diskectomy Cost and Procedure Introduction
A diskectomy is a procedure during which a disk from the spine (or part of a disk) is removed to relieve pain, numbness or weakness. These symptoms can affect your neck, back, arms and legs. Diskectomies work best for radiating symptoms and doesn’t work as well for acute neck or back pain. These surgeries are typically performed after more conservative treatments have proven ineffective. Though there are several ways to perform a diskectomy, surgeons typically prefer to perform the surgery laparoscopically — small incisions and laparoscope with a camera and surgical instruments attached. Patients are often able to go home the day of the procedure, though more extensive surgeries may require patients to stay in the hospital overnight. These procedures are conducted using general anesthesia. Laparoscopic surgery is often associated with a lower rate of complications, a shorter hospital stay and better cosmetic results than the open procedure. Patients can return to work after two to six weeks, depending on the physical demands of the job and the extent of the damage repaired.
Patient Preparation for Diskectomy
A physical examination will be performed along with blood work and other diagnostic tests. It is particularly important to inform the physician of all medications or vitamins taken regularly or if you are pregnant (or think you might be pregnant). Also, let your doctor know if you have heart, lung or other medical conditions that may need special attention and, finally, if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medications, aspirin or other medications that affect blood clotting. You will be given instructions in advance that will outline what you should and should not do in preparation for the surgery; be sure to read and follow those instructions. You will be asked to fast for eight hours before the procedure, generally after midnight. It is also important to prepare your home for when you get home from the hospital and during recovery. Move necessary items to areas which will not require you to bend or reach. You will need to make arrangements for transportation after the surgery is complete. If you are given a prescription for pain medication, have it filled prior to surgery.
What to Expect During and After Diskectomy
The amount of time in surgery varies, depending on the extent of the damage. The pre-op preparation and recovery time may add several hours. An intravenous line is inserted into the arm to administer a sedative and a painkiller. Your heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen level will be monitored during the procedure. In most cases, the procedure is done while you are under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). The surgeon makes a cut over the area of the bulging or damaged disk. In some cases, a small piece of bone or synthetic bone will be added to fill the space left by the removed piece. The surgeon may connect the adjoining vertebrae with metal hardware. Finally, the incision will be closed with stitches or staples.
After surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room for observation. Once your blood pressure, pulse and breathing are stable and you are alert, you will be discharged to your home or moved to a hospital room. Before being discharged, you will be given instructions about care for your incisions, limits on activities and what you should do to aid your recovery. If you notice any of the following, call the number the hospital gave you: Fever, excessive sweating, difficulty urinating, redness, bleeding or worsening pain.
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