Lumbar Microdiscectomy

A lumbar microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove a herniated or diseased disc that is pushing on the nerve roots in the lower back. To remove the disc herniation, an incision is made in the midline of your back at the affected area. The surgery is performed to relieve pressure off of the nerve and improve pain and neurologic function.

Candidates for lumbar microdiscectomy are those with worsening pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs from a herniated disc. It is important that each patient is carefully screened by a qualified surgeon to determine the most appropriate treatment.

If you have worsening back or leg pain or weakness resulting from a herniated disc that limits your everyday activities, and conservative methods of treatment have failed, you should consider lumbar discectomy.

After a discectomy, most patients go home the same day and typically walking the day of surgery. Most have significantly improved leg symptoms immediately after the surgery. A physical therapy program may be necessary to rehabilitate back and leg muscles. Many people are able to resume work and daily activities within a couple of weeks. Those with physically demanding jobs that include lifting and operating heavy machinery may have to wait longer to return to work.

At Disc Replacement Center of Saint Louis, we offer a variety of surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for degenerative disc disease, including lumbar microdiscectomy. If you would like to learn more about lumbar microdiscectomy or would like to schedule an evaluation to find out if you are a candidate, please contact our office at (314) 932-6486.