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When a damaged disc presses on spinal nerves, it can affect your mobility, mood, and overall quality of life. Lumbar microdiscectomy is a targeted, minimally invasive surgery that removes the part of the disc causing the problem without altering the rest of the spine.
At The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care, Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo performs this procedure with precision, using the latest techniques to reduce downtime and support faster recovery. With locations across New York and New Jersey, we make expert spinal care more accessible and personalized. If you’re ready to stop planning your day around pain, we’re here to help.
Lumbar microdiscectomy is a spine surgery used to treat a herniated disc in the lower back. A herniated disc occurs when the soft, inner material of the disc pushes through its tougher outer layer and presses on nearby nerves.
This pressure can lead to sciatica (pain shooting down the leg), numbness, weakness, or difficulty walking. In this procedure, Dr. Okubadejo uses a small incision—often less than an inch—to remove only the portion of the disc pinching the nerve. The rest of the disc stays in place, helping to maintain spinal stability. Because it’s minimally invasive, patients often experience less muscle damage, less postoperative pain, and a quicker return to activity than traditional open back surgery.
The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia and takes about 1–2 hours.
A small incision is made in the lower back, and using specialized instruments and a microscope or surgical loupe for magnification, Dr. Okubadejo carefully removes the portion of the herniated disc pressing on the nerve. In most cases, no hardware or fusion is needed. Once the nerve is decompressed, the incision is closed, and the patient is moved to recovery. Most patients can go home the same day. Because this procedure uses small incisions and avoids disrupting large muscles, recovery is often faster and more comfortable than traditional spine surgery.
Lumbar microdiscectomy is primarily used to treat:
Patients who undergo this procedure experience rapid and meaningful relief. Key benefits include:
Many patients return to light activity within a week and resume normal daily routines soon after. The sooner nerve pressure is relieved, the better the long-term results.
Dr. Okubadejo evaluates each patient carefully, ensuring surgery is only recommended when necessary. If other, less invasive treatments work for you, those options will be fully explored. You may be a good candidate if you:
Recovery is usually smooth and relatively quick. Most patients go home the same day with instructions for rest and light walking. For a few weeks, you’ll likely need to avoid bending, lifting, or twisting.
Pain is generally mild and managed with short-term medications. Dr. Okubadejo will give clear guidelines about when to return to work, exercise, or do more strenuous activities. Physical therapy may be recommended to help strengthen muscles and improve flexibility, especially if symptoms were present for a long time.
Patients often notice immediate improvement in leg pain, sometimes as soon as they wake up from surgery. Numbness and weakness may take a few days or weeks to fully resolve. Most people return to work and normal activities within 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the physical demands of their job. Long-term results are excellent for most patients, especially those who follow aftercare instructions and maintain good spinal health.
We're focused on minimally invasive solutions, faster recoveries, and improved outcomes.
Our team is here to help you get back to doing what you love without pain holding you back. With offices throughout New York and New Jersey, expert care is always close to home. At The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care, you get more than just surgical precision—you get personalized care from start to finish. Dr. Okubadejo sees you through every step of the journey and takes the time to explain your condition and treatment options in a way that’s clear and relatable.
Most patients report only mild pain after surgery, which is well managed with medications. Because the incision is small and the muscles are not disrupted, recovery discomfort is often minimal.
In many cases, yes. Physical therapy helps rebuild strength and improve flexibility, especially if you’ve been dealing with pain for a long time or had limited mobility beforehand.
Many patients return to light-duty work within 1–2 weeks. If your job involves heavy lifting or physical labor, it may take 4–6 weeks or more, depending on your recovery.
For some, symptoms may improve with time, but others risk worsening nerve compression, chronic pain, or even permanent nerve damage. Dr. Okubadejo will help weigh all your options.
Yes, though it's rare. Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding high-impact activities, and following your surgeon’s guidance can lower the risk of recurrence.
Usually less than one inch. It’s placed in the lower back and heals well in most cases with minimal scarring.
Yes. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia to keep you comfortable and still during surgery.
Most lumbar microdiscectomies are outpatient, meaning you can go home the same day unless your health requires observation.
It typically takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on the complexity of your case and the number of levels involved.
Yes, in most cases. Our team will help verify your coverage and work with your insurer to manage paperwork and authorizations.
