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Lumbar discectomy
- Rated ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ by 97% of orthopaedic patients
- Widest range of private spinal treatments in London
- Get an appointment confirmed in as little as 24 hrs
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LUMBAR DISCECTOMY SURGERY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
At HCA UK, you’ll be treated by a team of leading spinal and neurosurgical consultants. Using cutting-edge imaging technology, we’re able to diagnose your condition quickly and accurately, before coming up with a treatment programme tailored to your unique needs.
This approach is why more than 97% of our orthopaedic patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends, and why we’ve been rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Quality Care Commission more often than any other private healthcare provider.
This approach is why more than 97% of our orthopaedic patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends, and why we’ve been rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Quality Care Commission more often than any other private healthcare provider.
A lumbar discectomy is surgery that can help to address nerve pain going down your leg usually caused by a bulging disc. It’s a minimally invasive procedure where our spinal surgeons and neurosurgeons use smaller incisions to remove the damaged part of your disc.
Your spine is made up of 33 individual bones called vertebrae, stacked in a column that protects your spinal cord and spinal nerves. Nerve roots leave from your spine through small holes between the spinal bones, and discs sit between each vertebra, supporting them like cushions.
Those discs have an outer wall and a soft inner. If the outer wall weakens with injury or age, your disc can bulge out or ‘herniate.’ If that bulge presses on your nerve roots, it can cause back pain and other symptoms, such a nerve pain travelling down your leg.
Lumbar discectomy surgery treats pinched nerves in the lower spine, at the vertebrae referred to as L1 to S1. A small portion of the bone covering the nerve root is removed, and part of the disc itself, helping to ease back pain and leg pain.
Those discs have an outer wall and a soft inner. If the outer wall weakens with injury or age, your disc can bulge out or ‘herniate.’ If that bulge presses on your nerve roots, it can cause back pain and other symptoms, such a nerve pain travelling down your leg.
Lumbar discectomy surgery treats pinched nerves in the lower spine, at the vertebrae referred to as L1 to S1. A small portion of the bone covering the nerve root is removed, and part of the disc itself, helping to ease back pain and leg pain.
You may need to lie flat for a few hours after the surgery because of the anaesthetic, but you should be able to sit up in bed after that or lie on your side if it’s more comfortable. You will be able to sit and gently get out of bed the same day depending upon how you are feeling after the anaesthesia. A physiotherapist will get you gently out of bed the next day and help you to be more mobile and doing a little more for yourself, such as washing and dressing.
You’ll need to avoid lifting or bending after the surgery, and your consultant might recommend using a back brace for a limited period. You’ll also need physiotherapy to help strengthen your back.
You’ll need to avoid lifting or bending after the surgery, and your consultant might recommend using a back brace for a limited period. You’ll also need physiotherapy to help strengthen your back.
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different spinal treatments with care tailored to you
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Appointments within 24 hours
Get a specialist appointment confirmed in as little as 24 hours
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours
Multidisciplinary teams
Expert treatment with specialist care for complex cases
LUMBAR DISCECTOMY SURGERY
What to expect
Our consultant-led teams are here to help you through what can be an uncomfortable and stressful time. You’ll receive personalised care throughout the process, and we’ll keep you informed about what’s happening, every step of the way.
Before any lumbar discectomy surgery, you’ll be seen and diagnosed to make sure that you’re on the most effective treatment pathway to relieve your pain. We want you to feel confident and safe with any surgical procedures and are happy to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have, at any time.
Before any lumbar discectomy surgery, you’ll be seen and diagnosed to make sure that you’re on the most effective treatment pathway to relieve your pain. We want you to feel confident and safe with any surgical procedures and are happy to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have, at any time.
01
Initial consultation
The pathway to a lumbar discectomy usually begins when you visit your GP, physiotherapist or osteopath with severe lower back pain or leg pain, which leads to your primary care specialist advising a referral to one of our specialist spinal consultants.
02
Investigations and diagnosis
Your HCA UK spinal consultant might suggest various tests to look at your lower back in more detail and get a better idea of the specific cause of your pain. Typically, this will be an MRI scan to help them see if you have a bulging disc, and how much it’s pressing on your nerve roots.
Those results will also be reviewed by a specialist musculoskeletal radiologist. They’ll discuss their findings with your consultant to ensure we have the most detailed picture of your condition, and your consultant will take you through your treatment options.
03
Treatment
You’ll be able to sit down with your consultant and learn exactly how your lumbar discectomy surgery will work, how it specifically addresses your pain issues, and what’s going to happen at every stage of the process. They may recommend surgery depending on how long you’ve experienced your symptoms, how intense the pain is, and any previous treatments you’ve had.
Where can I have lumbar discectomy surgery?
You can access our specialist spinal services at locations throughout London and in our flagship Birmingham hospital The Harborne. From initial consultation through to treatment and next steps, you’ll be treated by some of the country’s most respected experts.
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
Lumbar discectomy FAQs
No. You’ll be given a general anaesthetic prior to surgery, so you’ll be asleep while it happens, and the surgery itself takes one to two hours to perform.
It’s a minimally invasive procedure, which means you’ll need less time in recovery than someone who needs open surgery. But your spine is a delicate part of your body, so you’ll be given precise and strict instructions for your recovery to ensure your spine heals well.
Your care team will make sure you’re fully informed about the best way to take care of yourself after your surgery’s completed.
It’s a minimally invasive procedure, which means you’ll need less time in recovery than someone who needs open surgery. But your spine is a delicate part of your body, so you’ll be given precise and strict instructions for your recovery to ensure your spine heals well.
Your care team will make sure you’re fully informed about the best way to take care of yourself after your surgery’s completed.
Everyone is different, and your specific condition and surgery will affect your recovery time, but it will usually take between one and four weeks, depending on the following factors:
As a general guide, you can:
- How healthy you are generally
- How closely you follow your after-surgery care plan
As a general guide, you can:
- Return to light activities two weeks after surgery
- Resume routine activities six weeks after surgery
- Go back to contact sports about 12 weeks after surgery
Most people who have surgery to remove part of a herniated disc will feel significant relief from the nerve pain it caused, such as pain in the legs, and can return to normal life. However, the surgery doesn’t address the cause of the original damage to the lower back, so the effects of the surgery may not be permanent.
Your consultant will be able to talk you through any potential steps you can take to avoid or lessen the chances of your pain returning.
Our patients’ spinal stories
"I took an eight-hour flight to the States ten days after spinal surgery"
After suffering months of discomfort, Sara’s lower back and shooting leg pain became so excruciating she could barely stand, and was diagnosed with a slipped disc. Her consultant referred her to Mr Irfan Malik, a highly experienced consultant neurosurgeon at The Harley Street Clinic who could perform endoscopic ‘keyhole’ spinal surgery.
Getting back to normal after spinal surgery: Ruth’s story
When consultant spinal surgeon Mr Robert Lee first glanced at the MRI scan of retired music teacher Ruth’s lumbar spine, he did a double take.
“It was so seamless. People are incredulous when you tell them it was such a small incision, and that you are up and moving almost immediately.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.