A microdiscectomy removes the piece of a herniated disc that is pressing on a nerve in the low back. It is one of the most common and most reliable spine operations for leg pain, and most patients go home the same day.
Medically reviewed by Adrian P. Jackson, MD, board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeon · Updated November 2026
Appointments are scheduled through workers’ compensation referrals in Kansas and Missouri.
A microdiscectomy is an operation for sciatica caused by a herniated disc. Through a small incision, the surgeon removes only the disc fragment that is pressing on the nerve. The rest of the disc stays in place, and nothing is fused.
It is considered when leg pain has not improved after conservative care, or sooner when there is significant weakness. Relief of leg pain is often immediate.
Sciatica that matches a herniated disc on MRI, on the same side and at the same level.
Usually 6 weeks or more of therapy, medication and often an epidural steroid injection.
Significant or worsening weakness in the leg or foot is a reason to operate sooner.
Loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin, requires urgent surgery.
You are asleep under general anesthesia. Through an incision of about an inch, often using a minimal-access tube, the muscle is moved aside rather than cut.
A small window is opened in the bone and ligament over the nerve (a laminotomy). The nerve is gently moved aside, and the herniated fragment is removed. Loose pieces inside the disc are taken out as well, to lower the chance of another herniation.
The spine is not destabilized, and no hardware is used. Most patients notice that the leg pain is better as soon as they wake up.
This animation shows the small opening, how the nerve is protected and how the fragment is removed.
For a week-by-week walk through recovery, see the lumbar decompression and discectomy recovery guide.
Our routine protocol after a lumbar discectomy. Restrictions are documented at each visit.
| When | Work status |
|---|---|
| Surgery to 6 weeks | Off work for up to 6 weeks. A restricted return is possible between 3 and 6 weeks for sedentary work or when the employer can accommodate part-time hours. |
| 6 to 12 weeks | Full-time work with restrictions: no lifting over 15 pounds, no repetitive bending or lifting, no overhead work, and alternate sitting and standing as needed. |
| About 12 weeks | Typically released to ordinary duties without restrictions. |
Walking is the main therapy for the first 3 weeks. Individual recovery varies, and your surgeon will personalize the plan.
Your surgeons
Board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeon
Dr. Jackson has practiced spine surgery in the Kansas City area for more than 20 years. He treats both the neck and the low back, and he operates exclusively on an outpatient basis using minimally invasive techniques.
Board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeon
Dr. Ciccarelli specializes in the lumbar spine, including fusion for spondylolisthesis and other conditions where the spine needs to be stabilized.
It is among the most reliable operations in spine surgery for relieving leg pain from a herniated disc. It is less predictable for back pain alone, which is why the decision rests mainly on leg symptoms.
Pain usually improves first, often right away. Numbness, tingling and strength recover more gradually, over weeks to months, and nerve healing can continue for up to 18 months.
Yes. A small percentage of patients have a repeat herniation at the same level, most often in the first few months. Following your activity restrictions during recovery lowers the risk.
As with any operation, there are risks. They include, but are not limited to, infection, bleeding, a spinal fluid leak, nerve injury, blood clots, incomplete relief or return of symptoms, the need for further surgery, and the risks of anesthesia. Your surgeon reviews the risks that apply to you before you decide.
A discectomy removes disc material pressing on a nerve. A laminectomy removes bone and ligament to widen a canal narrowed by arthritis. They are often combined.
This page is general education. It does not replace an examination, and it is not medical advice for your situation. If you have severe or sudden symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Premier Spine Care schedules appointments through workers’ compensation referrals in Kansas and Missouri. Case managers, adjusters and law offices can send a referral online, and the appointment is scheduled within 24 hours. If you were hurt at work, ask your adjuster or case manager about a referral.
Premier Spine Care · Overland Park and Lenexa, Kansas · Serving the Kansas City metro in Kansas and Missouri
