Lumbar Microdiscectomy / Laminectomy in New Jersey

A lumbar microdiscectomy or laminectomy relieves pressure on the nerves of the lower spine by removing the herniated disc material or small piece of bone that is pinching them. It is one of the most common spine operations, and for many people it brings fast relief from leg pain and sciatica.

An older New Jersey man holding his lumbar spine as he is in pain.
Dr. Shiveindra Jeyamohan consulting with a patient about a lumbar spine procedure.

Definition

What is a Lumbar Microdiscectomy / Laminectomy?

A microdiscectomy removes the part of a herniated disc that is pressing on a nerve root in the lower back. A laminectomy removes a small section of the lamina, the bony roof at the back of the vertebra, to open up room for the nerves. Depending on what is actually compressing the nerve, the two are often done together or in combination.

Both are usually done through a small incision with the help of a surgical microscope and a tubular retractor. Instead of cutting through the back muscles, the surgeon gently spreads them apart to reach the spine. That single difference is what sets the modern approach apart from older open techniques: less muscle damage, less bleeding, and a quicker path back to normal activity for most patients.

How do you know if you need a Lumbar Microdiscectomy / Laminectomy?

This procedure usually enters the picture when leg symptoms from a pinched nerve stick around despite several weeks of conservative care.

When rest, therapy, and medication have not settled the pain, and the imaging lines up with what you are feeling, surgery to free the nerve becomes a reasonable next step.

Signs that a microdiscectomy or laminectomy may help include:

  • Persistent leg pain or sciatica that has not eased after several weeks of conservative care
  • Numbness or weakness in the leg or foot
  • Pain that travels along a specific nerve path
  • Trouble walking or weakness that is getting worse
  • Imaging that shows a herniated disc or stenosis matching the symptom pattern

How do we perform a Lumbar Microdiscectomy / Laminectomy?

The plan is built around the level that is compressed and what is causing it. At the Jey Institute, a microdiscectomy or laminectomy generally moves through three stages.
A New Jersey neurologist reviewing imaging from a patient prior to spinal surgery.

01

Imaging review and positioning

The surgeon reviews your imaging in detail to confirm exactly which level is involved. You are positioned face-down on a specialized surgical frame that takes pressure off the abdomen, and live X-ray, called fluoroscopy, is used to mark the precise spot before anything else begins.
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New Jersey spinal surgeon performing spinal surgery

02

Minimally invasive nerve access

A small incision, under an inch, is made over the level. Instead of cutting the muscle, the surgeon uses a tubular retractor to gently spread it open, sparing the muscle the way older open surgery could not.
A New Jersey man being consulted by a spinal surgeon prior to surgery.

03

Decompression and nerve release

The surgeon removes the herniated disc fragment, a small piece of the lamina, or both, until the squeezed nerve has room again. Once the nerve is free and off pressure, the incision is closed. Most of the leg pain relief comes from this single step.
A younger New Jersey woman recovering from spinal surgery

Recovery

What Is Recovery Like After Lumbar Microdiscectomy / Laminectomy?

This is one of the faster spine surgeries to bounce back from. Most patients go home the same day, often walking within a few hours of the procedure.

The first couple of weeks are about light activity, short walks, and protecting the back while the area settles. People with desk jobs are often back the following week, while anything involving heavy lifting or bending waits until the surgeon clears it. There are a few activity guidelines to follow early on to lower the chance of a disc re-herniating, and the team walks through these before you leave.

Common conditions that require a Lumbar Microdiscectomy / Laminectomy

A microdiscectomy or laminectomy is aimed at nerve compression in the lower back, usually when leg symptoms like sciatica are the main problem rather than back pain alone. It tends to help most when the imaging and the symptoms point to the same spot, and when conservative care has already been tried. These are the conditions that most often lead to it:

Degenerative Disc Disease

Learn about degenerative disc disease treatment in New Jersey for chronic back pain, neck pain, stiffness, and other symptoms caused by age-related disc degeneration.

Scoliosis

The Jey Institute provides personalized scoliosis treatment in New Jersey through advanced evaluation, non-surgical care, and minimally invasive spine surgery.

Profile picture of Dr. Shiveindra Jeyamohan, MD. Spinal surgeon in New Jersey.

Dr. Shiveindra Jeyamohan, MD.

Chief Surgeon & Medical Director

Meet the clinical lead

Why choose The Jey Institute for Lumbar Microdiscectomy / Laminectomy?

Choosing a surgeon for a lumbar microdiscectomy or laminectomy in New Jersey is about more than the operation itself.

How often the surgeon does it, how minimally invasive the technique is, and how patients recover all factor in.

  • 5,000+ Patients served
  • 3,000+ Surgeries performed
  • 95% Same-day recovery rate

Areas we serve in New Jersey

The Jey Institute cares for patients across New Jersey dealing with sciatica, herniated discs, and other lower-back conditions that pinch the nerves. We regularly treat people from the following communities and the surrounding areas:

Frequently asked questions about Lumbar Microdiscectomy / Laminectomy

How is this different from a traditional open discectomy?

Less muscle disruption, less bleeding, less risk of infection, quicker return to activities, and faster progress with therapy.

How likely is a disc herniation to recur?

A very small percentage of re-herniations can occur. Post operative activity discussion is reviewed extensively with the team.

How long is the recovery, and when can I return to work?

Most patients are home same-day. Sedentary workers can go back the following week.

Will I need a fusion at some point later?

Some patients may require a fusion, but many can be avoided with weight-loss and healthy living habits.

Real reviews from our past patients

We’ve been serving spinal care patients for the past 2 decades. Hear what they have to say about their experience.

“Dr. J was attentive, listened to me and showed that he truly cared about my problems. He explained in details and offered me expert opinions. I love that he treats patients as individual and truly listens.”

Bernice

Patient • from Healthgrades

“After being unhappy with my spine surgeon, I found Dr. J. He explained exactly what was wrong with me, made a game plan, and had his team help out in scheduling. Once he found where the problem was, he got me scheduled, did excellent work, and I was home in a couple days. The scar is WAY SMALLER than my original surgery, which wasn’t even as big! He really is a minimally invasive expert and my recovery was way faster!”

Eddie

Patient • from Healthgrades

“I’ve had 5 different operations on my back in the last decade. Dr. J did number 6. His scar was the smallest, least amount of pain, and for the first time after any surgery I went home the same day. Maybe I’m just getting used to surgery lol!”

Steve W.

Patient • from Healthgrades

“No doubt in my mind Dr. Jeyamohan saved my life.”

Steven C.

Patient • from Healthgrades

“Thank You from the bottom of my heart for getting my active lifestyle back- I’m so happy with the outcome- thank u for being honest about the pain I would experience in the first month of recovery- your bedside manner in the hospital was excellent – your PA Andrea was amazing as well- I would recommend Evergreen Health to everyone and my team of docs was super- Thank U Dr J, Dr Nora, and Dr Ting!! Feels amazing to be standing tall with great posture everyday I’m getting stronger”

Michelle G.

Patient • from Healthgrades

“Kind and thorough. Top quality and felt safe throughout.”

Verified Patient

Review from Healthgrades

“Took the time to explain my pictures and what was wrong with me, and gave me many different options. Answered every single one of my questions and even a few over the phone. Went home the same day and on my way to a full recovery! Office is clean, bright, and everyone was super friendly and helpful! Andrea his assistant has been a treasure!”

Verified Patient

Review from Healthgrades

“Incredibly thorough, took his time to explain and answer all my questions. Gave me plenty of options. I probably visited with him three or four times before committing to surgery, never once did he rush me. Saw me every day in the hospital, walked with me. I’m so thankful I had the surgery with him. I saw two other spine surgeons who didn’t even want to take on such a complicated operation but Dr. J did incredible work and I’m back to walking on my own! I don’t even need a cane anymore”

Verified Patient

Review from Healthgrades

“First, the office was not good. Getting an appointment, scheduling, paperwork, was a nightmare. But once I got in to see Dr. J, it was smooth sailing! He got me the tests I needed, talked to me about treatment options, and helped me set up an injection. We talked about different surgeries, got me scheduled, did great work, and made sure I had follow-up appointments. I’m back to the farm ahead of schedule and back to work. If only I could have got in to see him sooner.”

Verified Patient

Review from Healthgrades

“I have to be honest here and own up. I saw three different spine surgeons and was worried “Dr. Jey” as everyone calls him was too young. I went with someone else who fused three levels in my back. I did horribly with lots of complications. After getting over all my issues, I swallowed my pride and went back to Dr. Jey. He never made me feel bad and graciously took a look at everything, ordered more tests, and showed me what was going on. Bad news, he says he couldn’t undo the fusion. Worse news, it’s now an even bigger operation to fix, and he was honest and said the best we can do is try to get me…”

Verified Patient

Review from Healthgrades

“My experience was excellent. Dr J is very knowledgeable explained everything in a simplified way that made me very comfortable. His staff went above and beyond answer any question I had No matter what the question was. I can’t thank Dr J and his staff enough For helping me get through this spine Injury.”

Jim D.

Patient, 54 • from Google

“I am a 45 year old male who led an active lifestyle when a back injury changed my life. I went from working and being active with my 4 children to suddenly I couldn’t make any movement without excruciating pain. The type of pain I can’t even explain in words. I went to see Dr. Jeyamohan on the referral of my sister who is a physician as well. When I walked into the office the team had already looked at my MRI and explained to me in honest terms that we had an emergency situation on our hands and that delaying surgery was simply not an option. Dr. Jeyamohan Made calls and got me scheduled for emergency back surgery right…”

Eric F.

Patient, 45 • from Google