Possible complications may occur before surgery, during surgery and after surgery.
Before Surgery:
The most serious complication of a herniated disc that may occur before surgery is the development of the cauda equine syndrome. It occurs when a large particle of disc material is ruptured into the spinal canal. It occurs in the area where the nerves that control the bowels and bladder travel before they leave the spine. This causes pressure on these nerves resulting in permanent damage. Bowel and bladder controlling ability is lost. If this problem occurs, surgery could be recommended immediately to try to remove the pressure on the nerves.
During Surgery:
Complications during surgery occur due to anesthesia given during any type of surgery. Possible complications that can occur during removal of a herniated disc may include injury to the nerves and a dual tear. There is a risk of injuring the spinal cord leading to nerve damage that causes paralysis. Tear in the dura mater covering the spinal cord may occur.
After Surgery:
Sometimes complications may take some months to become evident after surgery and may include:
Infection
Any surgical procedure has a risk of developing infection. Infection may occur in the skin incision, inside the disc or in the spinal canal around the nerves. If infection involves the skin incision, antibiotics may be needed, and if infection involves the spinal canal, a secondary operation may be required to drain the infection. Antibiotics may be required to treat the infection after the second operation.
Re-herniation
In 10 to 15 % cases re-herniation occurs during first six weeks after surgery. It can occur at any time and may require a second operation.
Persistent Pain
Occasionally, surgical procedure does not eliminate the pain. Pain may persist due to several reasons. Disc herniation may put pressure against the spinal nerves causing nerve damage thus resulting in pain along the nerve. Scar tissue may form around the nerves a few weeks after the operation, causing pain like the pain before the operation.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degeneration of the spinal segment can result from injury to the disc. A disc that has undergone operation has been injured. Additional problems may develop in the area where a disc has been removed. If pain from the degenerative process becomes severe, a second operation may be required. Several years may be needed to develop degenerative disc disease.
