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.

Spine Care From World-renowned Specialists

Norton Leatherman Spine is a world-renowned program delivering groundbreaking care and treatment for back, neck and spine conditions and procedures.

  • Nationally recognized spine surgery fellowship program with over 150 trained fellows
  • First in the world to perform robotic spine surgery using the Medtronic Mazor X Stealth Edition, demonstrating leadership in surgical innovations
  • First health system in the nation to be recognized as an Advanced Orthopedic & Spine Center of Excellence by DNV
  • First in the state of Kentucky to use the EOS Imaging system, a high-resolution image system with 50% to 85% less radiation exposure than traditional X-rays and CT scans
  • More than 4,000 surgeries performed each year
  • Recognized as a national benchmark for patient-reported outcome measures against spine surgeons across the nation, ensuring high-quality, data-driven care
  • team of 45 highly regarded specialists, including orthopedic spine surgeons, neurosurgeons and pain management specialists
  • Internationally recognized leaders in clinical research of spinal disease, injury and deformity, opioid management, spine surgical innovations, scoliosis and more
  • Specialists who have served in senior positions in the Scoliosis Research Society, the prestigious organization for scoliosis surgeons around the world
  • Kenton D. Leatherman, M.D., the program namesake, was the first doctor in Kentucky to repair scoliosis surgically

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