Discectomy
What is Discectomy?
A discectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a portion of a herniated or degenerated intervertebral disc that is compressing a nerve root or the spinal cord, causing pain, numbness, or weakness. It is commonly performed in the lumbar (lower back) or cervical (neck) spine, and rarely in the thoracic spine. In India, discectomy is conducted in neurosurgery or orthopedic spine surgery departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS, offering advanced care at affordable costs. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) is essential for patients and families in India to make informed decisions.
why do you need Discectomy?
Discectomy is indicated for:
- Herniated disc: Disc material protrudes, compressing nerves or the spinal cord, causing:
- Lumbar: Sciatica (leg pain), numbness, or weakness in the legs/feet.
- Cervical: Neck pain, arm pain (radiculopathy), or weakness.
- Degenerative disc disease: When disc breakdown causes nerve compression, often with spinal stenosis.
- Failed conservative treatment: Persistent symptoms after 6–12 weeks of non-surgical treatment (e.g., physiotherapy, medications, injections).
- Neurological deficits: Progressive weakness, loss of bowel/bladder control (cauda equina syndrome in lumbar herniation—emergency).
- Severe pain: Disabling pain impacting quality of life.
The procedure aims to relieve nerve pressure, reduce pain, and restore function, often preserving the remaining disc to maintain spinal stability.
Why Do Discectomy Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹1 lakh to ₹4 lakh :
- Procedure Type: Microdiscectomy/endoscopic (₹1–2.5 lakh); ACDF with fusion (₹2–4 lakh).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS, ₹30,000–₹1 lakh).
- Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced neurosurgeons/orthopedic spine surgeons charge more.
- Additional Costs: Hardware (ACDF plate/screws: ₹30,000–₹80,000), MRI/CT (₹5,000–₹15,000), hospital stay, physiotherapy.
- Insurance: Covered for symptomatic herniations with neurological deficits; Ayushman Bharat offers subsidies.
Discectomy Procedure
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Diagnosis:
- MRI or CT scan confirms disc herniation and nerve compression.
- X-rays assess spinal alignment and stability.
- Electromyography (EMG) or nerve conduction studies confirm nerve involvement.
- Blood tests ensure fitness for surgery (e.g., coagulation, hemoglobin).
- Medications: Pain relief (e.g., NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, or steroids for inflammation.
- Consent: Risks, including infection or nerve injury, are explained.
- Diagnosis:
- Surgical Techniques:
- Open Discectomy (Traditional):
- Performed under general anesthesia, lasting 1–2 hours.
- Lumbar:
- A 3–5 cm midline incision is made in the lower back.
- Muscles are retracted to expose the lamina (bone covering the spinal canal).
- A small portion of the lamina (laminotomy) may be removed to access the disc.
- The herniated disc fragment is removed (microdiscectomy if using a microscope), relieving nerve pressure.
- The incision is closed with sutures.
- Cervical:
- Often combined with fusion (see ACDF); standalone discectomy is rare.
- Microdiscectomy:
- Most common for lumbar herniations, minimally invasive, lasting 1–1.5 hours.
- A 1–2 cm incision is made, using a microscope or loupes for precision.
- Minimal bone removal; the herniated fragment is removed, preserving most of the disc.
- Endoscopic Discectomy:
- Minimally invasive, using a small incision (0.5–1 cm) and an endoscope.
- Performed under local or general anesthesia, ideal for lateral herniations.
- Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF):
- For cervical herniations, lasting 1–3 hours.
- A 3–5 cm incision is made in the front of the neck.
- The disc is removed, and a bone graft or cage is inserted to fuse the vertebrae, often with a plate/screws for stability.
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Fluoroscopy: Real-time X-ray ensures proper level and nerve decompression.
- Neuromonitoring: Tracks nerve function to avoid injury.
- Open Discectomy (Traditional):
- After Surgery:
- Ward monitoring for 1–3 days; hospital stay of 1–3 days (microdiscectomy/endoscopic) or 2–5 days (ACDF).
- Pain management: Analgesics (e.g., paracetamol, tramadol) for 1–2 weeks.
- Antibiotics (e.g., cefazolin) for 1–2 days to prevent infection.
- Physical therapy: Starts within 1–2 weeks to improve mobility and strength.
- Cervical collar (ACDF): Worn for 2–6 weeks to support fusion.
Recovery After Discectomy
- Hospital Stay: 1–3 days (microdiscectomy); 2–5 days (ACDF).
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Pain: Incision discomfort for 1–2 weeks; nerve pain (e.g., sciatica) improves over weeks.
- Activity: Light walking on day 1; avoid bending, twisting, or lifting (>5 kg) for 4–6 weeks.
- Lumbar: No brace typically needed; maintain good posture.
- Cervical (ACDF): Collar for 2–6 weeks; avoid neck strain.
- Physical therapy: Starts at 1–2 weeks; focuses on core strength (lumbar) or neck mobility (cervical).
- Driving: Avoid for 2–4 weeks until pain-free and off narcotics.
- Diet: Normal diet; high-protein foods (e.g., eggs, lentils) support healing; 2–3 liters water daily.
- Follow-Up:
- Visits at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months; X-rays (ACDF) to monitor fusion.
- MRI/CT if symptoms persist or recur.
Most resume normal activities in 4–6 weeks (microdiscectomy) or 6–8 weeks (ACDF). Symptom relief occurs in 80–90% of cases; success rates for pain reduction are 85–95%.
Risks and Complications
- Surgical Risks: Bleeding (1–2%), infection (1–3%), CSF leak (1–2% from dural tear).
- Neurological Complications:
- Nerve injury (1–2%): Temporary or permanent numbness/weakness.
- Recurrent disc herniation (5–10%): At the same level, often within 1–2 years.
- ACDF-Specific: Dysphagia (swallowing difficulty, 5–10%, temporary), hoarseness (2–5%), non-union (failure to fuse, 5%).
- General Risks: Anesthesia reactions, blood clots (DVT, <1%).
- Long-Term: Adjacent segment disease (5–10% over 10 years), chronic pain.
Report fever, severe pain, or neurological changes promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes a herniated disc?
Disc degeneration, trauma, or repetitive strain (e.g., heavy lifting, poor posture); risk factors include age, obesity, and smoking.
Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?
Yes, 70–80% improve with conservative treatment (e.g., physiotherapy, injections) within 6–12 weeks; surgery is for persistent/severe cases.
Will I lose spinal mobility?
Minimal impact with microdiscectomy; ACDF reduces motion at the fused level (10–20% overall neck motion loss).
How soon can I resume activities?
Light activities in 1–2 weeks, normal routines in 4–8 weeks.
Is discectomy covered by insurance in India?
Yes, for symptomatic herniations with neurological deficits; confirm with your provider.
Signs of complications?
Fever, severe pain, new numbness/weakness, or bowel/bladder issues.
Can the disc herniate again?
Yes, 5–10% risk at the same level; maintaining good posture and weight reduces risk.
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
Avoid heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks, maintain proper posture, continue physiotherapy, and follow up regularly.
Conclusion
Discectomy is an effective procedure for relieving nerve compression from a herniated disc, with high success rates for pain relief. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) offer affordable, expert care using advanced techniques. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach discectomy confidently. Consult a neurosurgeon or spine surgeon for personalized guidance and optimal outcomes.
Looking for Best Hospitals for Discectomy
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Ahmedabad |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Ajmer |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Aligarh |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Allahabad |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Amritsar |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Aurangabad |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Bangalore |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Bareilly |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Belgaum |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Bhopal |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Bikaner |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Chandigarh |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Chennai |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Coimbatore |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Dehradun |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Delhi |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Dhanbad |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Durgapur |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Faridabad |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Ghaziabad |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Gorakhpur |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Guntur |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Gurgaon |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Guwahati |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Gwalior |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Hyderabad |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Indore |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Jabalpur |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Jaipur |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Jalandhar |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Jamshedpur |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Jodhpur |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Kanpur |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Kochi |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Kolkata |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Kollam |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Lucknow |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Ludhiana |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Madurai |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Mangalore |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Meerut |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Moradabad |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Mumbai |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Mysore |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Nagpur |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Nashik |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Noida |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Patna |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Pune |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Raipur |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Rajkot |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Ranchi |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Surat |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Thane |
1,20,000 |
4,00,000 |
Vadodara |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Varanasi |
1,00,000 |
3,50,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
1,10,000 |
3,75,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.