When non-operative treatment for a herniated lumbar disc has failed a microdiscectomy is typically performed. In a microdiscectomy, a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root is surgically removed  to relieve neural impingement and provide more room for the nerve to heal.

MRI scan showing a downward migrated L4/5 herniated disc: Saggital View on the left, axial view in the middle, intraoperative view of removed fragment on the right.

Surgeons at the Center for Advanced Spine Care of Southern Arizona typically perform this operation through a small paraspinal incision using a tubular retractor system. Often patients are able to go home within the same day but occasionally require an overnight stay for pain control and observation. We typically employ a pain pump for postoperative pain control that you may take home. Please check out our postop instructions for lumbar spinal surgery.

Please call us for an appointment if you are having unrelenting back and leg pain that has not improved with physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain medication, spinal injections, and watchful waiting. We would be glad to render an opinion as to whether a microdiscectomy could reduce your symptoms and improve your function.

PLEASE CONTACT US AT:

Center for Advanced Spine Care of Southern Arizona, 4787 E. Camp Lowell Drive, Tucson AZ 85712

Re: Microdiscectomy

Phone: 520-204-1495, Fax: 623-218-1215

Email us: info@tucsonspineforms.com