Microdiscectomy is one of the most reliably effective operations in all of spine surgery — a minimally invasive procedure to remove the fragment of a herniated lumbar disc pressing on a nerve root. Most patients experience rapid relief of leg pain and go home the same day.
The lumbar discs sit between the vertebrae of the lower back and act as shock absorbers. When the inner material of a disc (nucleus pulposus) pushes through its outer wall and contacts a nearby nerve root, it causes the characteristic shooting pain, numbness, and weakness of sciatica. Microdiscectomy addresses this directly — removing only the herniated fragment pressing on the nerve while preserving the rest of the disc and surrounding structures.
The procedure is performed through a small posterior incision using a surgical microscope, which provides magnified visualization while minimizing disruption to the back muscles. Unlike a traditional open discectomy, the microscope-assisted approach requires minimal muscle retraction, resulting in less post-operative pain and a significantly faster recovery. This is the standard technique used by our surgeons for lumbar disc herniation.
Microdiscectomy decompresses the nerve but does not fuse the spine — disc height and spinal motion are preserved. For patients with additional instability or significant disc loss, lumbar fusion may be a more appropriate option, which your surgeon will discuss if relevant to your anatomy.
The majority of lumbar disc herniations improve over time with conservative care. Our surgeons follow a stepped approach — recommending surgery only when it is clearly the best option for your situation.
Exception: Progressive leg weakness, rapidly worsening neurological symptoms, or any sign of cauda equina syndrome warrants urgent surgical evaluation without completing the conservative care trial.
Leg pain from nerve root decompression typically begins improving within days — and for many patients, within hours of surgery. Back soreness at the incision site is common in the first week and resolves quickly. There are no fusion hardware or fusion timelines to wait for; the spine is structurally intact and recovery is primarily soft tissue healing.
Numbness and weakness in the leg or foot tend to recover more gradually than pain — nerve healing can continue for weeks to months after decompression. Patients with longer-standing neurological deficits before surgery may experience a slower or incomplete recovery of strength and sensation, though pain relief is typically rapid regardless.
Most herniated discs improve without surgery. Our surgeons take a conservative approach and will walk through your imaging, symptom history, and every available option at your consultation.
Microdiscectomy is most commonly performed for lumbar disc herniation causing sciatica. If you've been diagnosed with one of the following, your surgeon will evaluate whether microdiscectomy is the right approach for your specific anatomy.
Our fellowship-trained spine specialists will evaluate your condition and discuss every available option — conservative and surgical.