Medically reviewed by Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS — dual board-certified spine surgeon & neurosurgeon. Last reviewed October 2026.

A discectomy removes the portion of a herniated or damaged disc that's compressing a spinal nerve — the most direct way to relieve the sciatica, arm pain, or leg pain a bad disc causes. Depending on the disc and your goals, it can be paired with fusion or with a motion-preserving disc replacement.

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What Is a Discectomy?

A discectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the piece of a damaged or herniated disc that is pressing on a spinal nerve or the spinal cord. When the soft center of a disc pushes through its outer wall, the fragment can crowd a nearby nerve root and send pain, numbness, or weakness down an arm or leg. Taking the pressure off that nerve is the whole point of the operation — and once it's gone, the radiating pain often eases dramatically.

In the lower back, the most common version is a microdiscectomy — a minimally invasive procedure that removes the offending fragment through a small incision. In the neck, a discectomy is usually combined with either a fusion (ACDF) or an artificial disc replacement to keep the spine stable. A discectomy is almost always considered only after conservative care and interventional pain procedures have been given a fair chance to work.

Our Discectomy Procedures

Which discectomy is right for you depends on the location of the disc and whether the segment needs added support afterward. These are the main procedures Dr. Greenwald performs, each matched to a specific problem:

When Is a Discectomy Needed?

Most herniated discs settle down on their own and never require surgery. A discectomy becomes the right choice in a minority of cases — but in those cases, it can end nerve pain that nothing else has touched. You should be evaluated for a discectomy when:

• A herniated disc is pressing on a nerve. Imaging shows a herniated disc or disc extrusion compressing a nerve root, and your symptoms match that level.
• You have sciatica or radiculopathy. Pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates down a leg (sciatica) or an arm (radiculopathy) — especially when it's the dominant symptom.
• Conservative care hasn't worked. Leg or arm pain that persists despite roughly six or more weeks of physical therapy, medication, and image-guided injections.
• You have progressive weakness or numbness. A nerve that is losing strength or sensation over time is a reason to act sooner rather than later, because waiting can cost you function.

Remove the Problem, Preserve What's Healthy

A discectomy should take out only the disc material causing trouble and protect everything that's still working. The large majority of back and neck problems improve without surgery, so we exhaust conservative care and interventional pain options first — and recommend a discectomy only when a nerve is genuinely compressed and other measures have run their course. When surgery is the right answer, a minimally invasive microdiscectomy relieves sciatica through a small incision in the lower back. In the neck, Dr. Greenwald offers both fusion (ACDF) and motion-preserving disc replacement — and, as a surgeon who performs both, he can recommend the one that's genuinely best for you rather than the only one he offers. All surgical procedures are performed at an accredited affiliated surgical facility.

The Minimally Invasive Advantage

Whenever it's safe and appropriate, a lumbar discectomy is done as a microdiscectomy — through a small incision, using an operating microscope and a tubular retractor that gently spreads the muscle instead of cutting through it. Compared with traditional open surgery, a minimally invasive approach generally means less blood loss, less post-operative pain, and a faster return to activity. Most microdiscectomies are performed on an outpatient basis, so you go home the same day, and many patients are up and walking within hours. Not every disc problem can be solved this way — a neck disc, for example, is reached from the front and usually stabilized with a fusion or artificial disc — but when a microdiscectomy will fully address the problem, it's our first choice.

What to Expect — From Consultation to Recovery

Deciding on surgery should never feel rushed or one-sided. Here's how the process works at Desert Spine and Pain:

• Consultation & imaging. Dr. Greenwald reviews your history, examines you, and studies your MRI to confirm which disc and which nerve are causing your symptoms.
• An honest recommendation. You'll hear whether a discectomy is truly warranted — and if conservative care or an injection could work first, we'll tell you.
• The procedure. Your discectomy is performed by Dr. Greenwald at an accredited affiliated surgical facility, using the least-invasive technique that will fully relieve the nerve — a lumbar microdiscectomy typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
• Recovery & follow-up. You're given a clear, personalized recovery plan and seen in follow-up to make sure the nerve is settling and you're getting back to the activities you love.

Recovery & Getting Back to Life

Recovery from a microdiscectomy is often quick. Because it's usually an outpatient procedure, most patients go home the same day and are encouraged to walk right away. Leg or arm pain from the pinched nerve frequently eases soon after the fragment is removed, while any lingering numbness or weakness can keep improving over the following weeks to months as the nerve heals. Most people limit heavy lifting, bending, and twisting for the first couple of weeks; desk workers often return to work within a week or two, while physically demanding jobs may need longer. A cervical discectomy with fusion or disc replacement follows a somewhat different timeline. Whatever the procedure, you'll leave with specific instructions and a recovery plan built around your life and your goals.

Insurance, Out-of-Network & Cost

We welcome out-of-network patients of every kind and you don't need a referral to be seen. Our team verifies your coverage and explains any out-of-pocket costs before anything is scheduled, so there are no surprises. Because many of our patients come to us after a car accident or injury, we also coordinate closely with personal-injury attorneys and offer 24/7 concierge support for accident-related spine care.

Proudly Serving the Greater Phoenix, Arizona Area

Why Choose Our Disc Surgeon in Phoenix

Your discectomy is performed by a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon who offers the full range of disc procedures — minimally invasive, fusion, and motion-preserving — so your plan fits your anatomy, not a single technique. We welcome out-of-network patients, require no referral, and coordinate with personal-injury attorneys.

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Discectomy: Frequently Asked Questions