• Home
  • About Us
  • Patient Information
    • Testimonials
    • Patient Forms
  • Physicians
    • Refer a Patient
    • LinkedIn
    • Phone
    • YouTube

Texas Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery | Dr. Shaad Bidiwala

Best Dallas Spine Surgeon

  • Conditions
    • Do I Really Need Spine Surgery?
    • Cervical Disc Herniations
    • Lumbar Disc Herniations
    • Lumbar Instability
    • Lumbar Fractures
    • Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
  • Procedures
    • Nonsurgical Treatments
    • ACDF (Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion)
    • Kyphoplasty
    • Lumbar Laminectomy
    • LMD (Lumbar Microdiscectomy)
    • Lumbar Interbody Fusion
      • ALIF (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion)
      • PLIF (Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion)
      • TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion)
      • XLIF (Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion)
    • Minimally Invasive Instrumentation (Screws & Rods)
    • PLF (Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion)
  • Technologies
    • Technology for Cervical Disc Herniations
    • Technology for Compression Fractures
    • Technology for Lumbar Stenosis
    • Technology for Lumbar Instability
    • Technology for Lumbar Disc Herniations
  • Testimonials
  • News

LMD (Lumbar Microdiscectomy)

Quick Facts

Possible Symptoms

  • Leg pain, numbness, and/or weakness
  • Back pain, especially with movement
  • Bowel or bladder incontinence

Typical X-Ray Findings

  • Herniated disk compressing the nerve roots (MRI, CT myelogram).

Average Procedure Time

  • 1.5 hours

Average Recovery Time

  • Home the same day
  • Off work 2-8 weeks, depending on duties

Postperative Limitations

  • No bending, twisting, lifting, or strenuous exercises (8 weeks)
  • No driving while on narcotics

The Procedure

In the lumbar spine, discectomies are generally performed from a posterior approach, that is, from behind. An incision is made in the skin and carried to the bone. A small window in the bone (a laminotomy) is made and the nerve is found and retracted. Finally a partial discectomy is performed to decompress the affected nerve.

The Process of a Discectomy

Lumbar discectomies can also be performed from an anterior approach (from the front) , or a lateral approach (from the side), however these approaches are usually performed with the help of a general surgeon, and are most often done in preparation for a fusion.

Thoracic discectomies can be performed from a posterior approach or an anterior or lateral approach, depending on the size or consistency (ie hard or soft) of the disk herniation. Anterior or lateral approaches usually are done with a general or thoracic surgeon.

Traditional Microdiscectomy vs. Minimally Invasive Microdiscectomy

LMD The Old Way

An incision is made in the midline. Muscle is burned and then peeled off of enough of the spine in order to expose the bone that needs to be removed. A spiked retractor holds the muscle off of the bone while the discectomy is performed.

LMD The New Way

An incision is made 1-2 centimeters off of the midline. Muscle bundles are separated bluntly (with a gloved finger) through natural tissue planes in order to place a fiberoptically lit tubular retractor. The discectomy is then performed under a microscope with specialized instruments.

DALLAS OFFICE

Mockingbird Station
6080 N Central Expressway
Suite #150
Dallas, TX 75206
United States

OFFICE LOCATION DETAILS

We sit behind the Beeman Hotel.  Please park in garage on Level 4.  Elevator access available.  We are the first office on the main floor.

DISCLAIMER

The content on this page is for informational purposes only, and is in no way intended to be medical advice. There is no substitute for a face-to-face evaluation by your physician or another qualified practitioner. As always, if you have an emergency, call 9-1-1, or go to the nearest emergency department.

Copyright © 2025 · Shaad Bidiwala MD PA | All Rights Reserved