Minimally invasive tubular microdiscectomy

Most slipped discs settle without an operation. When they don't, a tubular microdiscectomy is a well-proven keyhole operation that removes the piece of disc pressing on your nerve. It needs a cut of about 2 cm, and most people walk the same day and go home the next.

Reviewed by Dr. Kshitij Chaudhary. Last reviewed October 2026

What is a minimally invasive tubular microdiscectomy?

It's an operation to remove the part of a slipped (herniated) disc that is pressing on a nerve. The surgeon works through a narrow tube, using a microscope for a magnified view. The tube gently parts the back muscles instead of cutting them.

Why does a slipped disc cause leg pain?

The discs are the soft cushions between your spine bones. Sometimes part of the disc pushes out and presses on a nearby nerve. That nerve then sends pain, tingling or numbness down the leg. This is what people call sciatica. Surgery removes the pressure so the nerve can recover. Read more: Lumbar Disc Herniation & Sciatica →

Who needs this surgery?

Most people don't. Slipped discs usually improve with time, medicines, physiotherapy and sometimes an injection. We normally wait 6 to 12 weeks before thinking about surgery.

Surgery is worth discussing if:

• Your leg pain is still severe after 6 to 12 weeks of proper treatment
• Your MRI shows a disc pressing on the nerve that matches your symptoms
• Your leg or foot is getting weak
• The pain is too severe to sleep, work or walk

A few situations need surgery sooner. These are sudden severe weakness, or new trouble passing urine or stools, with numbness around the groin. If this happens, come to the hospital the same day. Read more: Cauda Equina Syndrome →

If you've been told you need surgery and want to be sure, you can send us your MRI for a second opinion →

Will it help my back pain?

Surgery works best for leg pain. If your pain is mostly in the back and your nerves are fine, a microdiscectomy is not the answer, and we'll tell you so.

How is the operation done?

1. You're under general anaesthesia, so you're asleep throughout.
2. You lie face down. The surgeon makes a cut of about 2 cm over the affected level.
3. A thin tube is passed through the muscle down to the bone. The muscle is moved aside, not cut.
4. Through the tube, the nerve is gently moved aside and the loose or herniated part of the disc is taken out.
5. The tube is withdrawn, the muscle settles back, and the skin is closed.

How is this different from open surgery?

Open surgery uses a longer cut and detaches the muscles from the bone. The tubular method does less of that, so there is usually less muscle damage, less pain from the wound and a quicker return to walking. The part done on the disc itself is the same.

How well does it work?

Majority patients get good relief from leg pain, often within days. Numbness and tingling can take longer to settle, sometimes a few weeks to months.

What are the risks?

Every operation has risks, and we'll go through them with you before you decide. They include:

• A small tear in the nerve covering, which usually heals with a short period of lying flat
• Pain that doesn't fully improve
• The disc herniating again

Serious nerve injury is rare.

Can the disc slip again?

Yes, in a small number of people (roughly 1 in 20 to 1 in 10). Most do well with repeat surgery if it happens. Keeping fit, staying active and not smoking all help protect the disc.

What is recovery like?

You usually get up and walk on the day of surgery and go home the next day.

Call us if you notice fever, a wound that is red or leaking, new weakness in the leg, or trouble passing urine.

Questions to ask your surgeon

• Does my MRI match my symptoms?
• Have I tried enough non-surgical treatment?
• What result can I expect for my leg and for my back?
• When can I return to work and exercise?
• What is the plan if the disc comes back?

This page is for general information. It doesn't replace advice from your own doctor.

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About Dr. Kshitij Chaudhary

This page was written by Dr. Kshitij Chaudhary, a fellowship-trained spine surgeon at P.D. Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, trained in complex spine surgery at Harvard Medical School (Beth Israel Deaconess) and the Twin Cities Spine Center, Minneapolis. 🏃🏾About Dr. Chaudhary