Discectomy Surgery

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

A discectomy removes the herniated or damaged portion of a spinal disc that's pressing on a nerve — the most direct way to relieve sciatica, arm or leg pain, numbness, and weakness. At Desert Spine and Pain, it's performed minimally invasively whenever possible, taking out only the problem fragment while preserving the rest of the disc and the spine's stability.

Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500

Procedure Overview

A discectomy is the surgical removal of herniated or damaged disc material that is pressing on a spinal nerve or the spinal cord. Spinal discs sit as cushions between the vertebrae; when the soft center of a disc pushes through its outer wall, the escaped fragment can compress a nearby nerve — causing the radiating pain of sciatica in the leg, or pain down the arm from a neck disc. Removing just that fragment decompresses the nerve and relieves the pain it was causing.

Most discectomies today are done minimally invasively, through a small, muscle-sparing incision with an operating microscope or tubular retractor. Because only the offending fragment is removed and the rest of the disc and the spine's stability are preserved, recovery is typically quick — and a discectomy is one of the most common and successful spine operations.

Conditions We Treat

Am I a Candidate?

A discectomy is considered when a herniated disc causes persistent or severe nerve pain — sciatica in the leg or radiating pain in the arm — or weakness, that hasn't resolved with several weeks of conservative care and an epidural steroid injection, or sooner if there is significant or progressive weakness. Imaging confirms that the herniation matches your symptoms before surgery is recommended. Because Dr. Greenwald is both a spine surgeon and a neurosurgeon, he can confirm whether a discectomy is truly the best option — or whether a less invasive path still makes sense.

Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500

Benefits & Risks

Expected Outcomes

A discectomy is highly effective for nerve pain caused by a herniated disc — most patients experience prompt, significant relief of their radiating leg or arm pain once the nerve is decompressed, with numbness and weakness improving as the nerve heals. A small percentage of discs can re-herniate; we discuss how to minimize that risk and what to expect realistically for your specific case.

Life Beyond the Pain

How It's Performed

Under anesthesia, through a small incision, a tubular retractor or operating microscope gives the surgeon a clear, magnified view with minimal muscle disruption. The disc fragment pressing on the nerve is carefully removed, and the nerve is confirmed to be free before closing. The exact approach depends on where the disc is:

• In the lower back, a herniated lumbar disc is usually treated with a lumbar microdiscectomy or minimally invasive microdiscectomy — removing the fragment through a small incision for fast relief of sciatica.
• In the neck, a discectomy is typically combined with either a fusion (ACDF) or a motion-preserving artificial disc replacement to keep the spine stable after the disc is removed.

Recovery & Return to Activity

A minimally invasive discectomy has one of the quickest recoveries in spine surgery. To reduce the small risk of re-herniation, we guide a sensible return to lifting and high-impact activity.

Insurance, Out-of-Network & Cost

Cost and coverage shouldn't stand between you and relief. Desert Spine and Pain welcomes out-of-network patients and will walk you through what your evaluation and treatment are likely to involve before anything is scheduled — so there are no surprises. We'll help you understand your benefits and options, whether you're using insurance, paying out-of-pocket, or being treated under a personal-injury claim.

Proudly Serving the Greater Phoenix, Arizona Area

Why Choose Our Spine Specialists in Phoenix

Choosing the right spine specialist in Phoenix matters. At Desert Spine and Pain, your care is led by Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS — a physician who is both a board-certified spine surgeon and a neurosurgeon. That dual expertise is rare, and it means one expert can guide you across the full spectrum of care — from a simple injection to complex surgery — and recommend what is genuinely best for you, whether you need a spine doctor for conservative care or a surgeon when surgery is truly the answer.

Discectomy: Frequently Asked Questions