How effective is microdiscectomy for sciatica?

Sciatica describes pain or altered sensation travelling along the sciatic nerve pathway, often from irritation of a lower-back nerve root. Microdiscectomy removes a small piece of disc that is pressing on that nerve. It is most relevant when the pain pattern, neurological examination, and scan point to the same level. Leg pain may respond more directly than general low-back aching because the operation targets nerve pressure rather than every source of back pain.

Many people are first offered advice on movement, pain control, physiotherapy, and time when there is no progressive neurological problem. Surgery becomes a discussion when symptoms remain disabling or weakness develops. Rehabilitation usually builds from walking and comfortable movement to trunk, hip, and leg control.

Record which activities trigger the leg pain, whether coughing or sitting changes it, and any numbness or weakness. A clinician can compare these details with your examination and scan. If surgery is planned, discuss medicines, driving, work demands, lifting limits, wound care, and the exercise progression. Afterward, keep moving as advised and report symptoms that are worsening rather than trying to train through them.

Get emergency assessment for new loss of bladder or bowel control, difficulty passing urine, numbness around the genitals or buttocks, or rapidly worsening weakness. These signs can indicate serious nerve compression. After microdiscectomy, urgent review is needed for new weakness, returning severe leg pain with neurological changes, fever, wound drainage, or marked calf swelling. Chest pain or sudden breathlessness is an emergency.

Ask which nerve is affected, whether the scan explains your symptoms, what improvement is expected first, what non-surgical options remain, and how activity will be increased after the procedure.