Lumbar Microdiscectomy

What is Lumbar Microdiscectomy?

A Microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive outpatient surgery used to treat patients that suffer from nerve impingement in the spinal canal. Patient’s that have been diagnosed with herniated discs, bulging discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease may all favor from this surgery if more conservative treatments have failed in the past such as activity modification, physical therapy, oral steroids, anti-inflammatories and steroid injections. In a Microdiscectomy, small portion of the bone that is pressing over the nerve is removed in order to relieve the nerve impingement that is causing pain. Often the pain in the extremities associated with lower back pain is quickly resolved from this surgery. Symptoms of numbness, weakness and tingling in the legs are almost always experienced when suffering from the above symptoms.

What is the procedure?

The procedure is performed as an outpatient surgery. It involves a small incision in the mid lower back about 1-2 inches long. With an operating microscope the surgeon can perform this surgery in approximately 90 minutes or less. This minimally invasive endoscopic procedure is performed under x-ray guidance at all times.

What is the recovery?

Recovery time for this procedure usually a few days with restrictions such as driving, and caution with bending, twisting and lifting for the first couple of weeks. Pain relief is experienced almost immediately in the legs. Numbness and tingling may take a few months to fully resolve itself. Soreness at incision is site is normal for the 1-2 weeks. Our expert surgeons perform this surgery approximately 300+ times a year, with a very high success rate.