Dr. Zeeshan Sardar, MD, MSc, F.R.C.S.C
Director, Quality & Patient Safety (QPS) – Och Spine Hospital
Medical Director, Spine Unit – Och Spine Hospital
Co-Chief of Spinal Deformity Surgery • NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University
Och Spine Hospital • New York, NY
Minimally Invasive Lumbar microdiscectomy is one of the most successful operations in spine surgery. For patients with a herniated lumbar disc causing severe leg pain (sciatica) that has not responded to conservative treatment, microdiscectomy reliably relieves leg pain in over 90% of carefully selected patients. It is performed through a small incision, typically takes less than an hour, and most patients go home the same day or the next morning.
WHAT IS A Minimally Invasive LUMBAR MICRODISCECTOMY?
A lumbar disc herniation occurs when the soft inner material of a lumbar disc ruptures through the outer wall and presses on a nerve root in the spinal canal, causing sciatica — sharp, electric pain radiating from the lower back down the buttock and leg, often with numbness and tingling. Minimally Invasive Microdiscectomy removes the herniated disc fragment pressing on the nerve root, providing immediate decompression and allowing the nerve to recover. The procedure is performed through a 2–3 cm incision, a small portion of the lamina and ligamentum flavum is removed to access the disc, and the herniated fragment is removed under magnification with meticulous protection of the nerve root.
CONDITIONS TREATED
- Lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy (sciatica)
- Recurrent disc herniation after prior discectomy (selected cases)
- Cauda equina syndrome — bladder or bowel dysfunction from massive central disc herniation; requires emergency surgery
WHO IS A CANDIDATE?
- Lumbar disc herniation confirmed on MRI
- Leg pain (sciatica) as the primary symptom — microdiscectomy relieves leg pain much more reliably than back pain
- Failure of at least 6 weeks of conservative treatment — except for progressive weakness or bladder/bowel dysfunction, which warrant more urgent surgery
- Neurological deficit that is not improving or is worsening
RECOVERY
Most patients go home the same day or the next morning. Leg pain relief is typically immediate or within days. Return to light activity and desk work: 1–2 weeks. Return to physical work or exercise: 4–6 weeks. Driving: 1–2 weeks. Full recovery from any residual numbness or weakness continues over weeks to months as the nerve heals.
WHAT ABOUT RECURRENCE?
Approximately 5–10% of patients experience recurrent disc herniation at the same level after microdiscectomy. Recurrent herniation can often be treated with repeat microdiscectomy, though disc replacement or fusion may be more appropriate in some cases depending on individual anatomy.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How quickly will my leg pain improve?
Many patients notice significant relief within days of surgery, since the nerve is decompressed immediately. Some residual numbness or weakness can take longer to fully resolve.
Will this also fix my back pain?
Microdiscectomy is much more reliable for leg pain than for back pain. Some patients notice back pain improvement too, but it isn’t the primary goal or guaranteed outcome of the procedure.
How long does the surgery take?
Microdiscectomy typically takes less than an hour to an hour and a half for a single-level herniation, performed through a small incision.
What if my disc herniates again?
Recurrence occurs in roughly 5 to 10 percent of patients and can often be treated with a repeat microdiscectomy, though the right approach depends on your specific situation.
When is this an emergency?
New bladder or bowel dysfunction along with leg pain or numbness can indicate cauda equina syndrome, which requires emergency surgical evaluation.
WHY CHOOSE DR. SARDAR
Dr. Sardar performs lumbar microdiscectomy as a minimally invasive procedure with meticulous attention to nerve root protection and preservation of normal spinal anatomy. He evaluates each patient individually and discusses all treatment options — including the timing and expected benefits of surgery — before any decision is made.
This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized medical advice.
RELATED CONDITIONS & PROCEDURES
- Lumbar Radiculopathy, Disc Herniation & Sciatica — understanding the cause of your leg pain and what treats it
- Lumbar Disc Replacement — motion-preserving alternative for selected patients with lumbar disc disease
- Lower Back Pain — when back pain needs specialist evaluation and what to expect
To schedule a consultation, call 212-932-5187 or visit the contact page.