Minimally Invasive Lumbar Discectomy

During a minimally invasive lumbar discectomy the surgeon takes out the damaged parts of the spongy, doughnut-shaped disc causing your pain.

The discs sit between your vertebrae and cushion the spine bones, but sometimes they get damaged through injury, age or illness. They can become herniated, causing pain, tingling, numbness or weakness.

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The minimally invasive discectomy is performed through very small incisions in your back to remove the part causing your symptoms.

The board-certified and fellowship-trained specialists at Norton Leatherman Spine perform this potentially life-restoring procedure. The combined team of orthopedic spine and neuroscience specialists at Norton Leatherman spine provides comprehensive care.

Our specialists’ decades of experience, specialized training and a worldwide reputation for providing excellent care mean they are experts at minimally invasive lumbar discectomy.

Your physician will recommend surgical procedures such as minimally invasive discectomy after aggressive nonsurgical options, such as physical therapy or medication, have not relieved your symptoms.

Minimally invasive lumbar discectomy typically is done on an outpatient basis, so you usually can go home the same day. The doctor may have you limit normal activity for a while, wear a brace or do physical therapy.

About Norton Leatherman Spine

Norton Leatherman Spine is a combined team of orthopedic spine surgeons, neurosurgeons and pain management specialists who provide care for adults and children from Louisville and Southern Indiana, as well as from across the region, nation and world.

  • A multidisciplinary team of 45 specialists offers a comprehensive array of treatment options that include medication, pain management, rehabilitation and surgery, including minimally invasive procedures and neurosurgical therapies.
  • Norton Leatherman Spine physicians are widely renowned and exceptionally experienced, performing more than 4,000 surgeries a year.
  • Our specialists are internationally recognized leaders in clinical research of spinal disease, injury and deformity, and have served in senior positions in the Scoliosis Research Society, the most prestigious organization for scoliosis surgeons around the world.
  • Norton Healthcare is the first health system in the nation to be recognized as an Advanced Orthopedic & Spine Center of Excellence by DNV.
  • We use the EOS Imaging system, which collects high-resolution images while exposing the patient to 50% to 85% less radiation than traditional X-rays and 95% less than basic CT scans. The system is especially beneficial to scoliosis patients who often need repeated imaging to monitor their progress.
  • We accept Medicare, Medicaid and most major commercial insurance plans.
  • Use Norton MyChart to communicate with your provider, manage appointments, refill prescriptions, get alerted if an earlier appointment becomes available and more, anytime from a mobile device or computer

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