A discectomy is a surgical procedure in which a portion of a damaged or herniated intervertebral disc is removed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. It is typically performed to alleviate pain, numbness, or weakness caused by a compressed nerve. Recovery time and post-operative care will depend on the type of surgery and individual case.

A microdiscectomy is a surgical procedure performed to relieve the symptoms of a herniated spinal disc, also known as a herniated or slipped disc. The main goal of a microdiscectomy is to remove the herniated portion of the disc that is compressing the nerves. By doing so, the pressure on the affected nerves is reduced, alleviating the associated symptoms. Unlike traditional open surgery, a microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive procedure, meaning it requires smaller incisions and causes less disruption to surrounding tissues.