Removal of the left L4-5 foraminal free disc fragment

Herniated disc disease occurs when a portion of the disc, a structure located between the lumbar vertebrae, dislodges or breaks off, pressing on a nerve root. The dislodged piece can compress the nerve from the back, shoulder, armpit, or by entering the canal through which the nerve passes (foraminal disc). In this surgery, a disc fragment that has broken off from the left L4-5 disc space and entered the canal where the L5 nerve root enters, compressing the nerve root, is shown. In this surgery, the free fragment compressing the L5 nerve root is removed from the canal after the upper part of the bony canal is taken away, and the L4-5 disc space is freed. For ease of understanding, I have marked the nerve root, the disc space, and the removed disc fragment on the video.