I have a “slipped disc” in my back. Do I really need surgery, and is it safe?

A “slipped disc” refers to a disc prolapse or herniation, where one of the cushioning discs between your vertebrae bulges or ruptures and can press on nerves. Not all slipped discs require surgery – many improve with rest, physical therapy, or medications. However, if you have severe pain that doesn’t improve, significant leg pain (sciatica), numbness, or muscle weakness, or especially any bladder/bowel issues, then surgery might be the best option. The common surgery for this is a discectomy, where the herniated portion of the disc is removed to free the pinched nerve. This surgery is generally very safe and highly effective for relieving nerve pain. In fact, with modern techniques, a discectomy is often a minimal access or microsurgery done through a small incision. It can even be a day-care procedure now – patients often go home the same day and start walking immediately after surgery. The risk of complications like paralysis is extremely low (since we’re dealing with peripheral nerves, not the spinal cord in most lower back disc cases). Most patients notice a dramatic improvement in their leg or arm pain almost right after a successful disc surgery. So, if surgery is recommended because conservative measures failed, you can be reassured that it’s a routine, safe procedure with a high success rate.