Spine Surgery

Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery in Istanbul

Lumbar disc herniation surgery is one of the most commonly performed spinal procedures, providing relief from debilitating leg pain, numbness, and weakness caused by a herniated disc compressing the spinal nerves. At Memorial, Acıbadem, and American Hospital in Istanbul, experienced spine surgeons perform this procedure using minimally invasive techniques that maximise recovery and minimise tissue disruption.

A lumbar disc herniation occurs when the soft inner core of a spinal disc protrudes through the outer fibrous ring, pressing on adjacent nerve roots. When conservative treatments — such as physiotherapy, medication, and epidural injections — fail to provide adequate relief after 6-12 weeks, surgery becomes the most effective option for restoring quality of life.

Surgical Options

• Microdiscectomy — the gold standard, using a small incision (2-3 cm) and operating microscope
• Endoscopic discectomy — ultra-minimally invasive with a 7-8 mm incision
• Microscope-assisted tubular discectomy — minimal muscle damage with tubular retractor
• Laser disc decompression — for select cases with contained herniations

Microdiscectomy remains the most widely performed and well-studied technique. Using an operating microscope and micro-instruments through a 2-3 cm incision, the surgeon removes only the herniated portion of the disc while preserving the remaining healthy disc tissue. The procedure typically takes 45-90 minutes under general anaesthesia.

Most patients experience immediate relief of leg pain upon waking from surgery. Hospital stay is typically 1-2 days, with many patients able to walk within hours of the procedure. Return to desk work is usually possible within 2-3 weeks, and full recovery occurs within 4-6 weeks. The success rate for microdiscectomy exceeds 90% in appropriately selected patients.

Istanbul's spine surgeons offer this procedure at a fraction of UK costs while using identical surgical equipment and techniques.