What should you know about MIS microdiscectomy?

MIS means minimally invasive surgery. After anaesthesia, the surgeon reaches the affected part of the spine through a limited opening and uses magnification to identify the nerve and disc material. The goal is to free the nerve; it is not the same as replacing the whole disc or automatically treating every cause of back pain.

It may be considered when symptoms such as radiating leg pain remain troublesome despite appropriate non-surgical care, or when examination and imaging show pressure on a matching nerve. A herniated disc can also be discussed alongside [Herniated Disc](/conditions/herniated-disc/) and [Sciatica](/conditions/sciatica/).

Before surgery, share your medicines, allergies, smoking status, and any previous spine operations. Arrange transport and help with early daily activities. Follow the surgeon’s instructions about wound care, walking, lifting, bending, driving, and returning to work. Gentle walking is often introduced early, while heavier activity waits until the team confirms that healing and nerve symptoms allow it.

The plan may include [Physiotherapy](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/physiotherapy/) after the initial recovery period. Ask whether an [Epidural Steroid Injection](/treatments/spine-care/epidural-steroid-injection/) or [Endoscopic Spine Surgery](/treatments/spine-care/endoscopic-spine-surgery/) is a suitable alternative for your findings.

Contact the surgical team promptly for worsening weakness, new numbness around the groin, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever, increasing wound redness or drainage, severe headache, or pain that suddenly escalates. Seek emergency help for rapidly progressing leg weakness or inability to pass urine. New symptoms deserve assessment even when the incision looks normal.

Which nerve is compressed, and what symptom do you expect the operation to improve? How much disc material will be removed? What restrictions apply to sitting, lifting, driving, and work? When should physiotherapy begin, and which changes should trigger an urgent call?