Lumbar discectomy

This is a type of surgery to fix problems in the lower spine, typically a bulging disc in your lower back. Our spinal consultant surgeons and neurosurgeons offer minimally invasive surgery or smaller incisions to remove the part of the damaged disc.

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Why is a lumbar discectomy performed?

Lumbar discectomy surgery is performed to treat pinched nerves in the lumbar region of the spine by removing a small portion of the bone covering the nerve root and sometimes some of the disc material as well. The surgery aims to alleviate symptoms such as pain and numbness.

Your spine is made up of 33 individual bones that protect your spinal cord. Lower or lumbar back is concerned with the vertebrae L1 to L5 and are the largest in your spine. These bones help protect your spinal cord from injury and in between each vertebra there are discs to provide cushioning and support. Discs have an outer wall and a soft inner. A herniated or bulging disc can be when the outer wall has weakened with injury or age and the soft inner bulges out. The bulging disc can sometimes press on nerve roots or the spinal cord causing various symptoms including lower back pain.

Need to know

What happens during surgery?

You'll be asleep during lumbar decompression surgery, which takes about 1-2 hours to perform. If surgery is recommended, you'll usually have at least one of the following procedures through a midline skin incision in the lower back.

If surgery is recommended, you'll usually have at least one of the following procedures:

Laminectomy where a section of bone is removed from the back of your vertebrae to relieve pressure on the affected nerve
Discectomy where a section of the slipped disc is removed to relieve pressure on a nerve
Spinal fusion where two or more vertebrae are fused together to stabilise and strengthen the spine.

These procedures can be done in isolation or combination depending on the clinical judgement of your surgeon.

How to prepare

Your consultant will explain to you how surgery is performed and you'll get the chance to ask any questions about the procedure. As you'll be given a general anaesthetic you should avoid eating and drinking at least 6 hours before your procedure.

After your lumbar decompression

On average patients will spend 1-2 nights in hospital. You may need to lie flat for 3-4 hours post procedure due to the effects of the anaesthetic. After this time you should be able to sit up in bed. You may lie on your side if more comfortable. The following day you will be mobilised in the morning with the assistance of a physiotherapist or a nurse. You will be mobilised gently initially and this should be increased daily. Each day post surgery you will be encouraged to undertake more activities for yourself i.e. washing and dressing.