Orthopaedics · Skeletal System · Medium
Discectomy
Meaning: Surgical removal of all or part of a damaged intervertebral disc pressing on a nerve.
In practice: A microdiscectomy was offered after six weeks of severe sciatica that failed to settle.
Word parts
- -ectomy means surgical removal
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related orthopaedics words.
Which word means: Surgical incision of the tough membrane enclosing a muscle compartment to relieve raised pressure.
Answer: Fasciotomy
Which word means: Permanent shortening of muscle, tendon or fascia that restricts joint movement.
Answer: Contracture
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