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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.
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
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.
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.
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.
There is good evidence that in appropriately selected patients decompression surgery is effective for pain relief and improved function.
Our lumbar discectomy locations
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.