Lumbar microdiscectomy in India
The part of a slipped disc pressing on a nerve is removed through a small cut with a microscope.
At a glance
- Type
- Minimally invasive surgery
- Typical procedure time
- About 1–2 hours
- Typical hospital stay
- 1–2 days
- Time to plan in India
- About 1–2 weeks
These are broad, typical ranges for planning a trip. Your doctor sets the real plan for you, and it can be shorter or longer.
When people ask about it
- Leg pain from a disc pressing on a nerve that has not settled with treatment
Whether it suits you is a decision for a doctor who has examined you and seen your results.
How it usually works
- Review of your reportsA doctor reads your scans and tests and confirms whether a keyhole approach is suitable.
- Pre-procedure testsRoutine blood tests and anaesthesia checks are done.
- The procedureSmall cuts and a camera are used. The surgeon may change to an open operation if it is safer.
- Short recoveryMost people sit up and walk soon after, with pain and wound care guided by the team.
- Discharge and follow-up planYou receive written advice and a plan for check-ups and any tests after you are home.
Recovery and follow-up
- Many people walk the same day.
- Leg pain often eases quickly; sitting limits apply for a time.
- Core strengthening is advised.
Every procedure carries risks, and they differ from person to person. Ask your doctor to explain the risks that apply to you before you decide.
What affects the cost
We do not publish prices we cannot stand behind. The total depends on you, the hospital and the doctor. After a doctor has reviewed your records, you receive an itemised written estimate before you decide anything.
- The hospital and the surgeon
- Whether robotic assistance is used
- Room category and number of hospital days
- Tests, medicines and follow-up
- Your stay, local travel and a companion
Documents to prepare
- Recent scans (on disc) and written reports
- Blood test results and a list of all medicines with doses
- Notes from previous operations
- A summary of allergies and long-term conditions
- Passport and visa documents
Travel and stay
- Ask your surgeon when flying is safe; it is often a week or two after the procedure.
- Arrange a companion for the first days.
- Carry your medical summary in your hand luggage.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Is the disc clearly responsible for my symptoms?
- What is the chance of the disc returning?
- Will surgery help my main symptom?
- What happens if I wait or try other treatment first?
Also known as
- Discectomy
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Read the planning guidePlanning information only. This page gives general information to help you prepare questions and plan a trip. It does not diagnose, recommend a treatment or promise an outcome, a price or the availability of a doctor or hospital. Figures are broad, typical ranges and vary from person to person. Only a doctor who has examined you can say what is right for you. This page was prepared by Prognova's editorial team and has not yet been reviewed by a licensed clinician.