Home Spine SurgeryMicrodiscectomy (Minimally Invasive Disc Surgery) in India

Microdiscectomy (Minimally Invasive Disc Surgery) in India

Minimally invasive spine surgery to remove herniated disc material pressing on spinal nerves.

Overview

Microdiscectomy, also called microdecompression, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat lumbar disc herniation (slipped disc) that causes sciatica, leg pain, numbness, or weakness. Using a surgical microscope and specialized instruments, the surgeon removes the herniated portion of the disc that is compressing the spinal nerve, providing immediate relief from nerve-related symptoms. Dr. Gurudeo Kumar at Arthoscenter has performed over 450 microdiscectomy procedures with a 96% success rate, making him one of the most experienced minimally invasive spine surgeons in Bihar. This advanced technique allows for faster recovery, smaller incisions (typically 1.5-2 cm), less muscle damage, and quicker return to normal activities compared to traditional open spine surgery. The procedure is highly effective for patients with lumbar disc herniation (L4-L5, L5-S1 being most common) who have failed conservative treatment with physical therapy, medications, and epidural injections for 6-12 weeks. Most patients experience significant improvement in leg pain within hours to days after surgery. Book your online video consultation at ₹999 to determine if microdiscectomy is the right solution for your disc herniation.

Symptoms & Indications

This surgery may be recommended if you experience:

Severe radiating leg pain (sciatica)

Numbness or tingling in legs or feet

Weakness in leg or foot muscles

Pain that worsens with sitting or bending

Sharp shooting pain down the leg

Difficulty walking or standing for long periods

Loss of bladder or bowel control (cauda equina - emergency)

Pain relief when lying down

Failed conservative treatment for 6-12 weeks

MRI-confirmed disc herniation with nerve compression

Procedure Details

Duration

45-90 minutes

Anesthesia

General anesthesia

Preparation for Surgery

Pre-operative evaluation includes MRI scan to confirm disc herniation level, neurological examination, assessment of muscle strength and reflexes, and medical clearance. Patients are educated about post-operative precautions including proper bending and lifting techniques. Medications like blood thinners are stopped before surgery.

Surgical Steps

General anesthesia administration

Patient positioned prone (face down) on specialized table

Small 1.5-2 cm incision made over affected disc level

Muscle-sparing approach using sequential dilators

Placement of tubular retractor to create working channel

Use of surgical microscope for magnified visualization

Removal of small portion of lamina (laminotomy) if needed

Identification of compressed nerve root

Careful retraction of nerve root to one side

Removal of herniated disc fragment compressing nerve

Inspection to ensure complete nerve decompression

Closure with absorbable sutures and skin glue

Recovery Timeline

What to expect during your recovery journey

Day 1

Same-day or next-day discharge in most cases, walking encouraged within hours of surgery, significant leg pain relief often immediate

Week 1-2

Gradual increase in walking distance, avoid prolonged sitting (>30 minutes), no bending/lifting/twisting, light daily activities permitted

Week 3-6

Progressive return to normal activities, begin physical therapy for core strengthening, gradual increase in sitting tolerance, return to desk work possible

Week 7-12

Advanced strengthening exercises, return to most normal activities, improved sitting tolerance, back pain typically resolved

Month 4-6

Return to physically demanding work, sports activities with surgeon approval, full recovery expected in most patients

Long-term

Lifelong spine health maintenance with core exercises, proper body mechanics, weight management, and regular activity

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this procedure

Q1.How successful is microdiscectomy surgery?

Microdiscectomy has a very high success rate of 90-95% for properly selected patients. At Arthoscenter, Dr. Kumar achieves a 96% success rate with over 450 procedures performed. Most patients experience immediate relief from leg pain, though back pain may take longer to resolve. The key to success is proper patient selection - those with confirmed disc herniation causing nerve compression who have failed conservative treatment.

Q2.When can I return to work after microdiscectomy?

Return to work depends on your job type. Desk workers can typically return within 2-4 weeks with proper ergonomic setup. Light physical work may require 4-6 weeks, while heavy manual labor jobs may need 8-12 weeks. Dr. Kumar provides individualized return-to-work plans based on your specific occupation and recovery progress.

Q3.What is the difference between microdiscectomy and open discectomy?

Microdiscectomy uses a surgical microscope and small incision (1.5-2 cm) with muscle-sparing techniques, resulting in less tissue damage, faster recovery, and same-day discharge in many cases. Open discectomy uses a larger incision (4-5 cm) with more muscle cutting. Both achieve similar long-term outcomes, but microdiscectomy offers superior short-term recovery benefits.

Q4.Will my disc herniation come back after surgery?

The recurrence rate for disc herniation at the same level is approximately 5-10%. At Arthoscenter, Dr. Kumar's recurrence rate is less than 4% due to meticulous surgical technique and comprehensive post-operative rehabilitation. Following proper lifting mechanics, maintaining core strength, and healthy weight significantly reduce recurrence risk.

Q5.What is the cost of microdiscectomy in Bihar?

At Arthoscenter, microdiscectomy costs between ₹1.8-2.5 lakhs depending on hospital stay duration (same-day vs overnight), implant use if any, and other factors. The procedure is covered under PMJAY and BSKY schemes for eligible patients. This is significantly more affordable than prices in metro cities while maintaining international quality standards. Book a ₹999 consultation for detailed cost breakdown.

Q6.Is microdiscectomy a permanent solution?

Microdiscectomy permanently removes the herniated disc fragment that's compressing the nerve. However, it doesn't prevent other discs from herniating in the future. With proper spine care (core strengthening, proper mechanics, weight management), most patients enjoy long-term relief. Studies show 85-90% of patients remain symptom-free at 10-year follow-up.

Q7.Can I avoid surgery with injections or physiotherapy?

Conservative treatment (physical therapy, medications, epidural injections) should always be tried first for 6-12 weeks unless you have severe weakness or cauda equina syndrome. About 80-90% of disc herniations improve without surgery. Surgery is recommended when conservative treatment fails and symptoms significantly impact quality of life, or when there's progressive neurological deficit.

Q8.What are the risks of microdiscectomy?

Microdiscectomy is very safe with low complication rates. Risks include infection (<1%), nerve injury (<1%), dural tear (1-3%, usually repaired during surgery), recurrent disc herniation (4-10%), and general anesthesia risks. Dr. Kumar uses advanced surgical microscopes and navigation techniques to minimize these risks. Serious complications are rare.

Q9.Will I need to wear a back brace after surgery?

Back braces are generally not required after microdiscectomy. Dr. Kumar emphasizes early mobilization and core strengthening instead. However, some patients find a soft support belt helpful for comfort during the first 2-3 weeks, especially when out of bed for extended periods. Long-term brace use is discouraged as it can weaken core muscles.

Q10.Can I play sports after microdiscectomy?

Yes, most patients can return to sports activities 3-6 months after surgery with proper rehabilitation and surgeon clearance. Low-impact activities like swimming and cycling can resume earlier (6-8 weeks). High-impact sports (running, cricket, football) typically require 4-6 months. Proper warm-up, core strengthening, and technique modification help prevent re-injury.

Considering This Surgery?

Book an online video consultation with Dr. Gurudeo Kumar for just ₹999 and get all your questions answered

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