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What Is Herniated Disc Surgery?
Herniated disc surgery removes the part of a disc that presses on a nerve root. In the lower back, the usual operation is a microdiscectomy, done under a microscope. It aims to relieve sciatica, the pain that runs down the leg.
A herniated (slipped) disc often causes sciatica: sharp pain from the buttock down one leg. Numbness, tingling or weakness in the leg or foot may follow too.
However, most people never need surgery, because sciatica usually improves with time and exercise. An operation therefore comes in when leg pain persists or a nerve weakens.
Prof. Albayrak first treats most patients without surgery. Then, when an operation helps, he recommends microdiscectomy for most herniations. He also bases the decision on your examination, not on the MRI alone.
At a Glance
- Usual operationMicrodiscectomy under an operating microscope
- What comes outOnly the fragment pressing on the nerve, not the whole disc
- Who needs itA minority: lasting leg pain, weakness or an emergency
- Anesthesia and timeGeneral anesthesia, usually about 1 to 2 hours
- Hospital stayOften the same day or one night
- Back to desk workOften within a few weeks; heavy work takes longer
This guide, however, covers only the lower back. So for arm pain from a neck disc, see cervical disc herniation. Leg pain on walking, especially in older adults, often comes from lumbar spinal stenosis instead.
Where Are You in Your Decision?
First, pick the line closest to your situation. Each one then leads to what it means for surgery.
- 01Sciatica that started recentlyWhy most people begin without surgery
- 02Leg pain that lasts despite treatmentWhen an operation becomes a fair choice
- 03A weak foot or legWhy weakness changes the timing
- 04A disc on your MRI, but mostly back painWhy the scan alone does not decide
- 05Numbness between the legs or bladder changesSigns that need emergency care today
- 06Planning surgery from abroadStay, flights and follow-up at home
When Do You Need Surgery for a Herniated Disc?
You may need surgery if leg pain lasts despite treatment, or if a nerve weakens. However, the decision depends on your symptoms and examination, not on the scan alone.
Sciatica that started recently
Sciatica generally improves within a few weeks to a few months, says the NHS. So the first step is to keep moving, take simple painkillers and start gentle exercise.
In the first painful days, Prof. Albayrak advises a short rest and no heavy lifting. Long bed rest weakens the back muscles, so a gradual return to activity follows. Physiotherapy then builds up the muscles that support the spine.
For severe leg pain, an epidural steroid injection can also calm the swollen nerve. In fact, UK guidance (NICE) supports considering it in acute and severe sciatica. However, the relief may fade after weeks or months, because the fragment remains.
Leg pain that lasts despite treatment
NICE advises considering spinal decompression when non-surgical treatment has not improved pain or function. Your MRI findings must also match your symptoms.
In practice, Prof. Albayrak first gives treatment about 6 to 8 weeks to work. If leg pain still limits work, walking or sleep, surgery then becomes reasonable.
The choice also stays yours. Some people prefer to wait longer. For many, waiting remains reasonable while strength and bladder control stay normal.
A weak foot or leg
Weakness, however, means the nerve is under real pressure. For example, you may struggle to lift the front of your foot. Doctors call this foot drop, and the toes may then catch on steps.
So when weakness appears or gets worse, Prof. Albayrak plans surgery promptly. The aim is to relieve the nerve before any damage becomes permanent.
Foot drop also has other causes. A nerve trapped at the knee, for instance, can cause it too. So the examination also checks that nerve; see peripheral nerve entrapment treatment.
A disc on your MRI, but mostly back pain
In fact, many people have a disc bulge on MRI without any symptoms. So a scan finding alone rarely justifies an operation.
Disc surgery mainly relieves leg pain, but helps back pain much less.
Other conditions can also mimic a disc problem. For example, a standing X-ray can show a slipped vertebra (spondylolisthesis). Infection and spinal tumors are rare causes too, and MRI helps rule them out.
Questions at this stage
Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?
Yes, in most people. Sciatica from a slipped disc generally improves over weeks to months. So surgery helps mainly when pain lasts or a nerve weakens.
Is herniated disc surgery worth it?
For leg pain that lasts despite treatment, it often is. For back pain alone, however, the benefit is much smaller. So weigh it with your surgeon against waiting longer.
When Sciatica Needs a Doctor Today
Most sciatica can wait for a routine visit. However, a few signs point to cauda equina syndrome, a rare emergency. It therefore needs hospital care the same day.
See a doctor soon if:
- No improvement after a few weeks of home treatment
- Pain that keeps getting worse or stops normal activities
- New weakness in one leg or foot
- Fever, weight loss or pain that is worse at night
Get emergency care today (911, 999 or 112) if you have:
- Sciatica in both legs
- Severe or worsening weakness or numbness in both legs
- Numbness around the genitals or the back passage
- Trouble passing urine, or loss of bladder or bowel control
These signs can mean a disc presses on the nerve bundle at the spine's base. Surgery then usually needs to happen right away. So if they appear before your trip, go to the nearest hospital.
Herniated Disc Treatment Options Compared
Treatment generally moves step by step, so surgery comes last for most people. The table shows where each option fits, and also its limits.
| Option | Who it suits | What it involves | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-care and exercise | Most new sciatica | Staying active, painkillers and physiotherapy | Often eases over weeks to months |
| Epidural steroid injection | Acute, severe sciatica (NICE) | Injection near the nerve root to reduce swelling | Relief may fade after weeks or months |
| Microdiscectomy | Leg pain that lasts despite treatment, weakness or an emergency | Fragment removal through a small cut, under a microscope | Leg pain often eases quickly; short hospital stay |
| Endoscopic discectomy | Selected herniations | A camera and fine tools through a narrow tube | Same aim; NICE: only for surgeons who do it regularly |
| Discectomy with fusion | Instability, a slipped vertebra or repeated herniation | Disc removal plus screws and rods joining two vertebrae | Longer recovery; not a routine disc operation |
Microdiscectomy or Endoscopic Discectomy?
Both operations remove the same fragment, but they reach it in different ways. First, a microdiscectomy uses an operating microscope, which gives a deep, three-dimensional view. Endoscopic surgery, in contrast, uses a camera and a screen through an even smaller opening.
Prof. Albayrak therefore recommends microdiscectomy for most herniations, since it suits every size and location. He considers the endoscopic route, however, only for selected, smaller herniations. Overall, the surgeon's experience with the method matters more than its name.
What is the difference between a microdiscectomy and a laminectomy?
A microdiscectomy removes the disc fragment and only a little bone. A laminectomy, in contrast, removes more bone to widen a narrow canal, as in stenosis. Some patients with both problems need the two together.
Herniated Disc Surgery Risks and Results
Serious complications are uncommon, says the NHS. Still, every operation carries risks, so ask which ones apply to you.
The main risks of disc surgery include:
- Infection of the wound
- Bleeding, or a blood clot in a leg vein
- A tear in the nerve covering, which can leak spinal fluid and cause headaches
- Nerve damage, with new weakness or numbness
- A new herniation at the same level
- Back or leg pain that does not fully settle
What is the success rate of herniated disc surgery?
Most people get pain relief and move better after surgery, according to MedlinePlus. However, results depend on how long and how hard the disc pressed on the nerve. Published figures also differ, so ask what any quoted rate measures.
How Likely Is Paralysis?
Paralysis is rare after lumbar disc surgery. The spinal cord usually ends above the discs that herniate most often. So surgery at these levels involves nerve roots, not the cord.
To lower risks, Prof. Albayrak also works under the microscope and moves the nerve gently. In complex cases, such as repeat surgery, nerve monitoring can add another check.
Is herniated disc surgery a major operation?
It counts as a smaller spine operation. Most people walk the same day and go home within a day or so. However, it still needs general anesthesia and carries real, if uncommon, risks.
Microdiscectomy Recovery Time: A Typical Timeline
Leg pain often eases soon after surgery. The disc and the nerve, however, need weeks to heal. Your surgeon then adjusts this typical plan to you.
| When | What you can usually do | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Day of surgery | Stand and walk with help once the anesthesia wears off | Sitting for long stretches |
| First 2 weeks | Short walks several times a day; showers once your surgeon allows them | Bending at the waist, twisting, lifting over about 10 lb (4.5 kg), driving |
| Weeks 2 to 6 | Longer walks, desk work for many people, physiotherapy and core exercises | Heavy lifting, running and contact sports |
| Weeks 6 to 12 | Physical work and most sports, if your surgeon agrees | Sudden heavy loads |
| After 3 months | Usually no special limits; keep exercising | Long inactivity and weight gain |
Work and Numbness After Surgery
Light work usually comes back first, while the nerve keeps healing for weeks to months.
When can I go back to work after a microdiscectomy?
It depends mainly on your job. Desk work often resumes within a few weeks, but physical jobs take longer. For example, the NHS gives about 4 to 6 weeks for work after lumbar decompression.
Why is my leg still numb after surgery?
Pain often fades first, while numbness follows the slower repair of the nerve. It then usually improves over weeks to months. After long or severe pressure, however, some numbness can remain.
Lowering the Chance of Another Herniation
The rest of the disc stays in place after surgery, so it can bulge again. This affects a minority of people, often in the first months. The NHS also links disc problems to ageing, poor lifting, long sitting and excess weight.
Prof. Albayrak therefore advises these habits after surgery:
- Stop smoking, since nicotine weakens disc tissue (NHS)
- Keep a healthy weight and stay active
- Bend your knees and keep loads close when you lift
- Build up your back and core muscles with regular exercise
If the disc herniates again, the first step is usually treatment without surgery. A second microdiscectomy remains an option, and fusion comes up only in special cases. For nerve pain that persists after surgery, spinal cord stimulation is another option.
Coming to Istanbul from the US, Canada, the UK or Europe
A microdiscectomy needs a short hospital stay, but plan extra days around it. Many patients plan about a week in Istanbul, and your surgeon then confirms the dates.
How Long You Will Stay
- Consultation and tests: the examination, a new MRI if needed and checks before anesthesia.
- Operation and hospital stay: usually the same day or one night in hospital.
- Rest nearby: short walks from a hotel close to the hospital, ideally with a companion.
- Check before the flight: your surgeon examines the wound and your walking.
When You Can Fly Home
UK aviation guidance advises about 7 days after brain surgery. However, it gives no separate figure for spine surgery. So your surgeon decides, after checking the wound and your walking.
A long flight also raises the risk of blood clots, especially after surgery. So book an aisle seat, walk the aisle regularly and drink plenty of water. MedlinePlus also suggests sitting no more than 20 to 30 minutes at once.
Follow-Up After You Return Home
First, you leave with a discharge summary for your doctor at home. Also ask for copies of your MRI and the operation note. Then ask whether your stitches need removal at home.
Back home, your family doctor or GP then takes over routine checks. Physiotherapy can also continue locally. For questions, you can still message the clinic team too.
For insurance, Medicare, NHS and visa rules, see our guide to surgery in Turkey. From Canada, check with your provincial health plan and private insurer before you book. From elsewhere in Europe, also ask your insurer about planned treatment in Turkey.
When can I fly home after a microdiscectomy?
UK aviation guidance sets no fixed waiting time for spine surgery. So your surgeon decides after checking the wound, your walking and your clot risk.
Your surgery in Istanbul
Your Microdiscectomy in Istanbul, Step by Step
Generally, the visit follows four steps, and each answers one practical question.
STEP 01
Request an appointment
Use the form on this page, WhatsApp or call +90 532 308 97 72. A short message is enough: your symptoms, your country and your travel dates.
You can also write in English or Turkish. The team then contacts you to arrange the consultation date.
STEP 02
Consultation and tests in Istanbul
Prof. Albayrak first examines your strength, reflexes and feeling in both legs. He then goes through your MRI with you and checks that it matches your symptoms.
If needed, an EMG nerve test or a standing X-ray also adds detail. Next, he explains each option, its risks and the recovery, including treatment without surgery.
The clinic sits in Teşvikiye, Şişli, on the European side of Istanbul. Get directions on Google Maps.
Do I need a new MRI before herniated disc surgery?
Often, yes, if the scan is old or your symptoms now differ. A fragment can shrink or move over time, so surgery needs a current picture. You can also have a new scan in Istanbul before the decision.
STEP 03
What happens during the operation
The operation takes place in a hospital, under general anesthesia. Prof. Albayrak names the hospital at the consultation. Generally, a single-level operation takes about 1 to 2 hours.
- You lie face down, with your belly free to reduce bleeding
- An X-ray confirms the level before the first cut
- Through a small cut, the surgeon moves the muscle aside instead of cutting it
- The surgeon removes a few millimeters of bone and the ligament over the nerve
- Under the microscope, the surgeon eases the nerve root aside
- The fragment and loose disc pieces come out, while the healthy disc stays
- A final check confirms the nerve moves freely, and the wound closes
Will I need screws or a spinal fusion?
Usually not. A standard microdiscectomy removes only the fragment, so the spine stays stable. Screws come up only in special cases, such as instability or a slipped vertebra.
STEP 04
Walking, discharge and the flight home
Most people stand up and walk within hours of the operation. Leg pain often eases quickly, while a sore wound settles over a few days.
Afterward, you rest at a nearby hotel and take short walks. Your surgeon then checks the wound and your walking before the flight.
Get urgent help, in Istanbul or at home, if you notice any of these signs:
- New or worsening weakness or numbness in a leg
- Trouble passing urine, or numbness between the legs
- Fever, or redness, swelling or fluid at the wound
- A headache that worsens when you stand up
- Calf pain or swelling, chest pain or shortness of breath
Is herniated disc surgery painful?
The wound feels sore for a few days, and painkillers usually control it. Many people notice less leg pain soon after waking. Sitting may feel uncomfortable at first, so change position often.
Your Spine Surgeon in Istanbul
Prof. Dr. Serdar Baki Albayrak
Neurosurgeon · Full Professor of Neurosurgery
Prof. Albayrak treats most herniated discs without surgery first. When an operation helps, he then performs microdiscectomy under the operating microscope himself.
He completed neurosurgery training at Istanbul University in 2004. He then took clinical fellowships at the University of Helsinki and Harvard Medical School. At Harvard, he trained at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Consultations take place in English or Turkish at Terrace Fulya Center, Teşvikiye, Şişli.
27+Years
5,000+Operations
64Countries
33Publications
Figures from Prof. Albayrak's professional profile, September 2026. See his full publication list.
Request an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
How much does herniated disc surgery cost in Turkey?
Generally, the cost depends on the operation, the hospital, the stay and new scans. Prices online often cover different things, so compare what each estimate includes. Then ask for the cost of your own plan at the consultation.
Can a laser treat a herniated disc instead of surgery?
Only in a narrow group of patients. NICE limits laser disc ablation to a bulging disc whose outer wall is intact. So it does not suit a fragment that has broken out onto a nerve.
Do I need to wear a back brace after a microdiscectomy?
Usually not. A standard microdiscectomy does not need one, and long use also weakens back muscles. Instead, gradual exercise rebuilds the muscles that support your spine.
Prof. Albayrak's Published Research
These articles by Prof. Albayrak cover nearby topics, not disc surgery results. The full list of his 33 publications is on his profile.
- Topical application of tacrolimus prevents epidural fibrosis in a rat postlaminectomy model: histopathological and ultrastructural analysis
- Spinal epidural abscess due to Brucella
- Doxorubicin for prevention of epineurial fibrosis in a rat sciatic nerve model: outcome based on gross postsurgical, histopathological, and ultrastructural findings
- Management outcome of peroneal nerve injury at knee level: experience of a single military institution
Public health information
- NHS. Slipped disc.
- NHS. Sciatica.
- NHS. Lumbar decompression surgery.
- NHS. DVT (deep vein thrombosis).
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management (NG59).
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Percutaneous interlaminar endoscopic lumbar discectomy for sciatica (HTG411).
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy for sciatica (HTG412).
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Percutaneous intradiscal laser ablation in the lumbar spine (HTG230).
- MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine. Herniated disk.
- MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine. Diskectomy.
- MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine. Spine surgery: discharge.
- UK Civil Aviation Authority. Surgical conditions: guidance for health professionals.
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medical tourism.
This page gives general medical information and does not replace a consultation. Diagnosis and treatment decisions also need an examination by your own doctor. If you have emergency signs, contact local emergency services first.
Last updated: 1 October 2026. Website editor: Prof. Dr. Serdar Baki Albayrak's clinic, [email protected].
Plan Your Herniated Disc Consultation in Istanbul
Request an appointment with Prof. Dr. Serdar Baki Albayrak. The team then helps you plan the dates of your visit.
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