Approximately 3–4% of patients with a herniated disc in the neck require surgery. Surgery may be considered when other treatments have not provided enough improvement or when urgent treatment is needed, for example because of progressive muscle weakness. Our surgical team uses anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), a widely used technique for this condition.
Cervical herniated disc surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. Through an incision of approximately 3 cm on the front right side of the neck, the muscles and major blood vessels are gently moved aside. The herniated disc is removed under a microscope, and a cage with bone graft is placed in the empty disc space. The cage maintains the height of the disc space, while the bone graft allows the two vertebrae to fuse. The operation takes an average of 40–60 minutes, and the hospital stay is one day.
Appointments & practical information
How do I book an appointment?
You can send your appointment request via WhatsApp, by phone or through the contact form. Briefly describing your complaint and the times that suit you speeds things up; we respond as quickly as possible.
What should you bring to the consultation?
If available, bring your recent MRI and CT images, previous test and surgery reports, and a list of the medication you take regularly. This makes the assessment considerably easier.
What happens at the first consultation?
We listen to your complaints and history, perform a neurological examination and review your existing images together. Treatment options are then planned with you, taking your expectations and lifestyle into account.
Second opinion
If you have been diagnosed or advised to have surgery elsewhere, you can book an appointment for a second opinion with your existing images and reports.
Reach out for your questions and appointment requests. We reply as soon as possible.
The time it takes to return to work depends on the physical demands of the patient's job. Patients who work desk jobs or do light work can generally return to work 10 to 14 days after surgery. For occupations requiring heavier physical activity, this period can extend up to 4 to 6 weeks.
How Many Days After Microdiscectomy Can I Get Up on My Feet?
After microdiscectomy, our patients can generally get up on their feet and start walking approximately 4-6 hours after surgery. The day after surgery, they are able to climb stairs and take short walks, and are discharged in that condition.
When Can I Return to Sexual Activity and Sports After Microdiscectomy?
Light-paced walking can be started the day right after surgery. Return to sexual activity is generally permitted after the 2nd week. Swimming and light exercises can begin in the 4th week, while strenuous sports activities and competitive sports should be planned after the 3rd month, under the surgeon's supervision.
In Which Situations Is Microdiscectomy Essential?
In severe pain that does not respond to medication, rest and physical therapy, when progressive loss of strength develops in the leg or arm (risk of paralysis), when bladder and bowel control is impaired, or when MRI findings show severe compression of the nerve root, microdiscectomy is essential as the gold-standard treatment.
Are Stitches Used in Microdiscectomy, and Does It Leave a Scar?
Cosmetic (dissolvable) sutures are generally used in microdiscectomy, so there is no need for the hassle of having stitches removed. Since the incision made is very small (2 cm on average), once healing is complete it leaves a mark that is almost unnoticeable.
Is Microsurgery an Effective Solution for Ruptured Herniations?
Yes, it is definitely the most effective solution. The term "ruptured herniation" refers to disc material overflowing into the spinal canal. With microsurgery, these fragments are located under the microscope with millimeter precision and the nerve root is completely relieved.
Is There a Risk of Being Left Paralyzed After Microdiscectomy Surgery?
Thanks to technological capabilities and microsurgical experience, this risk is well below 1% in modern medicine. The detailed visualization provided by the microscope ensures the preservation of nerve tissue, maximizing safety.
What Percentage Is the Risk of Nerve Damage?
In the literature, the risk of nerve damage for microdiscectomy is around 1%. However, with surgical experience and advanced technological equipment, this risk is reduced to statistically near-negligible levels.
How Much Does the Use of a Microscope Reduce This Risk?
The use of a microscope magnifies the fine nerve fibers and blood vessels that cannot be seen with the naked eye by 20-40 times, offering the surgeon a clear roadmap. This is the most critical factor that significantly reduces the risk of nerve injury compared to open surgeries.
During Microdiscectomy Surgery, Is Only the Herniation Removed, or Is Bone Also Removed?
The main goal is to remove only the herniated tissue that is causing the compression. In lumbar herniations, a very small portion of bone may need to be shaved (laminectomy/laminotomy) to reach the nerve root and decompress the area; in cervical herniation surgery, generally no bone is removed at all. This procedure does not compromise the stability of the spine.
Which Exercises Are Done After Microdiscectomy Surgery?
In the first weeks, only short walks are recommended. From week 4 onward, depending on the operated area, special isometric exercises are started that strengthen the lower back-abdominal or neck-arm muscles and increase the flexibility of the spine. The ideal exercise program should be planned individually.
How Many Hours After Microdiscectomy Surgery Can I Get Up on My Feet?
After the effect of general anesthesia wears off, our patients can generally take their first steps, accompanied by a healthcare professional, 4 to 6 hours after surgery.
If the Herniation Recurs After Microdiscectomy Surgery, Is a Second Surgery More Difficult?
In lumbar herniations, second operations require somewhat more care due to tissue adhesions (fibrosis); however, for an experienced microsurgeon this can be managed successfully, and when necessary the nerve root can be safely decompressed again with revision microsurgery. In cervical herniation surgery, since the disc is usually removed completely, no recurrence occurs at the same level.
How Is Microdiscectomy Surgery for a Cervical Herniated Disc Performed?
Microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive surgical method performed with the help of a high-resolution microscope. Entry is made through a small skin incision of about 3 cm at the front right side of the neck, and the muscles and important vessels are retracted. Thanks to the 20-40x magnification provided by the microscope, the herniated disc is removed completely and a "cage" is placed between the two vertebrae. With this method, the surrounding tissues and bone structure are preserved to the maximum degree.
How Long Should I Wear a Neck Brace After Microdiscectomy?
Since the microsurgical method involves minimal intervention in muscle and bone tissue, wearing a neck brace for 3 weeks is sufficient for most patients.
Is It Normal for Arm Pain to Continue for a While After Microdiscectomy Surgery?
Yes, it is normal. In a nerve root that has been under pressure for a long time, there may be some edema and a pain sensation we call "nerve memory". Depending on the nerve's healing process, this pain diminishes and disappears within weeks.
What Conditions Require Cervical Herniated Disc Surgery?
Loss of strength in the arm, impaired function of the hand and arm, and severe pain that does not subside despite at least 6 weeks of conservative treatment (medication, rest, physical therapy) are indications for surgery.
What Happens If a Cervical Herniated Disc Is Not Operated On?
If the pressure on the nerve continues, permanent paralysis, chronic unrelenting pain, muscle wasting in the limbs and a serious loss of quality of life can occur.
What Are the Risks of Cervical Herniated Disc Surgery?
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks of infection, bleeding, cerebrospinal fluid leakage and, at a very low rate, nerve damage. With microsurgery, however, these risks are minimal.
What Is the Recovery Process After Cervical Herniated Disc Surgery?
Walking begins on the first day, the incision site closes by day 10, and a return to social life is achieved by day 15. Full tissue healing takes about 6 weeks.
Does a Cervical Herniated Disc Recur After Surgery?
Since the entire disc is removed in cervical herniated disc surgery, no recurrence occurs at the same site.
What Is the Success Rate of Cervical Herniated Disc Surgery?
With the right diagnosis and in skilled hands, the success rate of microsurgical or endoscopic operations is above 95%.
Can I Travel by Plane or Bus After Cervical Herniated Disc Surgery?
Generally, short flights are permitted 1 week after surgery, and bus journeys 2 weeks after, provided a break is taken every 2 hours.
Can I Perform Prayer (Namaz) After Cervical Herniated Disc Surgery?
For the first 4-6 weeks after surgery, it is recommended to perform prayer seated on a chair. Once full tissue fusion has taken place, prayer can be performed normally without straining the spine excessively.
