A discectomy is a decompression procedure used to relieve pressure on a nerve. The surgeon removes the portion of a herniated disc causing pain, weakness, or numbness. A microdiscectomy is a similar procedure performed through a smaller incision.
What happens to the disc after surgery?
In most cases, the hole in the disc is not repaired, which may leave patients at risk for reherniation. Recovery often requires limited movement to allow healing.