- Physical Examination
- Surgical Examination
- Ophthalmology
- Clinical Skills
- Orthopedics
- Surgery Videos
- Laparoscopy
- Pediatrics
- Funny Videos
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Nursing Videos
- Plastic Surgery
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Histology and Histopathology
- Neurosurgery
- Dermatology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Urology
- Dentistry
- Oncology and Cancers
- Anatomy Videos
- Health and Fitness
- Radiology
- Anaesthesia
- Physical Therapy
- Pharmacology
- Interventional Radiology
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Gynecology
- Emergency Medicine
- Psychiatry and Psychology
- Childbirth Videos
- General Medical Videos
- Nephrology
- Physiology
- Diet and Food Health
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Neurology
- Women Health
- Osteoporosis
- Gastroenterology
- Pulmonology
- Hematology
- Rheumatology
- Toxicology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Vascular Disease
- Reproductive Health
- Burns and Wound Healing
- Kidney Zone Podcast
- Other
Spinal discectomy / microdiscectomy
Category: Bone, Joint & Spine Procedures · All bone, joint & spine procedures
What it is
A microdiscectomy removes the fragment of a slipped (prolapsed) disc that is pressing on a spinal nerve, using a small cut and a microscope or magnifying system. It is most often done in the lower back for sciatica.
Why it is done
It is offered for persistent leg pain (sciatica) from a confirmed disc prolapse that has not settled with time, physiotherapy and medicines — and urgently when there is progressive weakness or bladder/bowel involvement (cauda equina syndrome, an emergency).
How to prepare
You will have an MRI confirming the prolapse matches your symptoms, pre-assessment, and fasting. Tell the team about blood thinners and allergies. Smoking cessation improves healing and outcomes.
What happens during the procedure
Under general anaesthetic, lying face down, the surgeon makes a small cut in the back, moves muscle aside, removes a small window of bone if needed, gently moves the nerve and removes the loose disc fragment pressing on it. It takes about 45 to 90 minutes.
Afterwards — recovery & results
Most people are up walking the same day and home within a day. Leg pain often improves quickly; back ache takes longer. Avoid heavy lifting and prolonged sitting early on as advised, and build up walking. Many return to desk work in two to four weeks and physical work later.
Risks & considerations
Risks include infection, bleeding, a tear of the nerve sac lining causing spinal fluid leak and headache, nerve injury, recurrent disc prolapse at the same level (which can need further surgery), and anaesthetic risks. Your surgeon will discuss your case.
Watch: Spinal discectomy / microdiscectomy videos
Real procedure videos from the MedicalVideos.com library. Some clinical footage is graphic — that is the nature of a medical video library.
Related guides on MedicalVideos.com
Frequently asked questions
Will surgery fix my back pain too?
The operation targets leg pain from nerve compression, which usually responds well. Back pain itself may persist, as it often has several causes.
What is cauda equina syndrome?
Compression of the bundle of nerves at the base of the spine causing bladder or bowel changes, numbness in the saddle area and leg weakness. It is a surgical emergency — seek immediate help if these occur.
Related procedures — Bone, Joint & Spine Procedures
Browse the S section of the A–Z list or return to the Procedures & Tests hub.