If a disc herniation in the low back results in significant nerve impingement, leg pain and sciatica may result. Lumbar discectomy (microdiscectomy) surgery is typically recommended for patients who have experienced leg pain for at least six weeks and have not found sufficient pain relief with conservative treatment (such as oral steroids, NSAID’s (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and physical therapy). However, after three to six months, the results of surgery are not quite as favorable. If the pain is debilitating, it is not generally advisable to postpone surgery for a prolonged period of time (more than three to six months). If after an appropriate course of physical therapy and rehabilitation, the patient has continued disabling pain, a lumbar discectomy may be suggested . In a lumbar discectomy, a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root is removed to relieve neural impingement and provide more room for the nerve to heal. Importantly, since almost all of the joints, ligaments and muscles are left intact, the microdiscectomy procedure does not change the mechanical structure of the patient’s lower (lumbar) spine
The success rate for a microdiscectomy is approximately 90% to 95%, although 5% of patients may develop a recurrent disc herniation at some point in the future
1 inch to 1 1/2 inch) incision scar in the mid-line of the low back
