Leg pain, sciatica
Lumbar disc herniation
A herniated disc can press on a nerve in the lower back and cause sciatica. Many cases settle with time. Those that do not, or that show signs of nerve damage, are treated promptly by day-surgery microdiscectomy.
Results
730 discectomies, 2018 to 2024
Data to December 2024
- Improved 92%
- No change 7%
- Worse 1%
- Improved 92%
- No change 6%
- Worse 2%
Treatment
Most disc herniations settle over several weeks with time and rehabilitation, supported where needed by pain management and image-guided nerve root injections. Surgery is recommended when pain persists despite these measures and without delay when there are signs of nerve damage such as weakness or numbness. Microdiscectomy is performed as day surgery through a small incision, and recovery continues with a tailored rehabilitation programme at BackSpace.
Technology used
Microdiscectomy is performed with the Synaptive Modus X robotic exoscope. Rather than looking down a microscope, the surgeon operates looking up at a large 3D screen, with a magnified, high-definition view of the nerve and disc that the whole theatre team shares.