We typically remove only the herniated fragment(s) that are pressing on the nerve, plus any other loose pieces we can easily get to. We don’t remove the entire disc. So yes, most of your disc stays in place and continues to function as a cushion. Imagine the disc like a jelly doughnut – a herniation is some jelly squirting out. We remove that extruded jelly and any that’s obviously about to come out. 

But we don’t completely empty the disc because that could cause the disc space to collapse and lead to instability. So you will still have a disc (perhaps slightly thinner because some material is gone). In time, the disc may lose height gradually (as part of degenerative process), but the hope is the nerve won’t be pinched anymore.

Discectomy is most effective for leg pain caused by nerve compression. It may not completely resolve back pain because back pain can come from the disc itself (degenerative changes) or muscles, etc. However, often some back pain that came from muscle spasm or from the disc herniation process might improve once pressure is relieved and you move better. But if your back pain is from generalized arthritis or facet joints, those sources remain. 

So, it’s important to clarify: the goal of microdiscectomy is to relieve radicular (nerve) pain and prevent nerve damage. Many patients do experience less overall pain, including back, after recovery, but we cannot guarantee back pain relief to the same degree. If back pain is a dominant symptom, sometimes different approaches are considered (like maybe a fusion if disc space collapsed, etc.). We will discuss with you based on your case.

It depends on what you do and how you heal. For a desk job, some patients return in 1-2 weeks, especially if they can alternate sitting/standing and avoid heavy lifting. It’s wise to give yourself at least one week off, possibly two, to rest and do some walking and allow tissues to start healing. For more physical jobs, you might need to wait 4-6 weeks before heavy lifting or twisting is safe. We usually impose lifting restrictions (~10-15 lbs) for about 4-6 weeks to avoid strain on the healing area. You can do light household tasks within a few days as tolerated, but avoid vacuuming, yard work, etc., for a bit. Gentle walking is actually encouraged right away, increasing gradually. Driving: often okay after 1-2 weeks when you feel comfortable twisting to look around and are off narcotic meds. Light exercise (like stationary bike, or stretching) might be allowed after a couple weeks. 

Full sports (like golf, gym workouts) usually after 6-8 weeks with surgeon’s clearance. The key is to listen to your body and your surgeon’s advice. They’ll likely give guidance at follow-ups. Everyone is a bit different, but microdiscectomy tends to have a much faster recovery than bigger surgeries.

If we talk strictly about the same level: as mentioned, roughly 5-10% of patients might experience a recurrent disc herniation at that level at some point. That could be within months or many years later. If that happens, sometimes another discectomy is done; if it recurs multiple times, a fusion might be considered. In general, 90-95% do not need another surgery at that same level, which is good odds. 

However, if you have overall degenerative disc disease, other levels could herniate later in life (that’s more related to your spine condition, not caused by the surgery). After one disc herniation, you might be a bit more prone to others because of genetic or wear factors. We advise maintaining a healthy weight, core strength, and good body mechanics to protect your spine long term. If you take care and perhaps do physical therapy post-op for core strengthening, you can reduce the risk of future injuries. 

But some factors we can’t control (aging, genetics). So, while another surgery is not likely, it’s not impossible. We’ll of course be there to manage any future issues if they arise.

The scar is usually small – for lumbar, perhaps about an inch or so, vertical line in the lower back. It fades over time to a thin line. It’s placed in a region often covered by clothing or not too conspicuous. Long-term, most people regain full function without limitations after healing. We do advise always being mindful of proper lifting technique and avoid extreme strain to protect your spine in general. 

Some patients choose to avoid very high-impact activities to be kind to their back, but generally you can resume normal life, including exercise. The removed disc fragment doesn’t typically “grow back” – though disc can re-herniate as said. The surgery doesn’t make you weaker or anything; after healing, your back muscles recover, and with conditioning, you can be as strong as before. You might have a bit of residual stiffness initially, but most get back to normal flexibility. If nerve damage was present pre-surgery (like numbness or weakness), recovery of that is variable and could take months and sometimes is incomplete. But that’s due to the pre-existing condition, not the surgery itself (the surgery stops further damage and often allows healing, but nerves recover slowly). 

The vast majority of patients are happy and go back to their routine, forgetting they even had surgery except for the scar.