Concierge spinal surgery · London
Private discectomy in London, by a consultant spinal surgeon.
A properly worked-up discectomy — microdiscectomy, ACDF, cervical arthroplasty or endoscopic — with a named consultant spinal surgeon, the imaging that matches your symptoms, and the honest conversation about whether surgery is the right next step.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant spinal surgeon, not a generalist
A named spinal neurosurgeon or orthopaedic spinal surgeon — someone who does discs every week, not once a month.
- 02
Conservative options considered first
Most disc herniations settle without surgery. We rule that out honestly before recommending theatre.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private discectomy costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A lumbar microdiscectomy in our network: £9,500–£14,500, home same day or next morning.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lumbar microdiscectomy | £9,500–£14,500 | 60–90 min | Same-day or 1 night |
| Endoscopic percutaneous discectomy | £10,500–£16,000 | 45–90 min | Same-day |
| ACDF (anterior cervical discectomy + fusion) | £15,000–£22,000 | 90–150 min | 1 night |
| Cervical disc replacement (arthroplasty) | £16,000–£24,000 | 90–150 min | 1 night |
| Thoracic discectomy | £18,000–£28,000 | 2–3 hours | 2–3 nights |
| Nerve root injection (diagnostic + therapeutic) | £1,200–£2,200 | 30 min | Same visit |
| Consultant spinal surgery opinion | £300–£500 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by which surgeon does the case, by the specific hardware (cage, plate or artificial disc) and by length of stay. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right imaging, the right timing, the right operation.
Discectomy done well is one of the most reliable operations in spinal surgery. Done badly — at the wrong level, on the wrong patient, at the wrong moment — it is one of the most regretted. We fix all three before you commit.
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Not sure it is needed?
Most disc prolapses settle within 6 to 12 weeks. A nerve root injection often bridges the gap and avoids surgery altogether.
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Worried about the wrong operation?
ACDF and cervical arthroplasty are both valid — the honest answer depends on your level, your age and your imaging.
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Worried about progressive weakness?
A foot drop or new weakness moves the timeline forward. Cauda equina is a 999 emergency, not a clinic booking.
The journey
From imaging to rehabilitation — what happens, in order.
One named consultant surgeon from first review to the six-week check — including the physiotherapy plan.
Phase 1 · Before surgery
Imaging, conservative trial, decision
Phase 2 · On the day
Admission, theatre, short stay
Phase 3 · After
Rehabilitation and review
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Symptoms, how long, any weakness or bladder changes, what has been tried.
- 02
Before
Imaging and correlation
An MRI of the relevant spine (lumbar or cervical), read by a musculoskeletal radiologist, and correlated with your symptoms.
- 03
Before
Conservative trial where sensible
Physiotherapy, targeted analgesia, and often a nerve root injection — 6 to 12 weeks unless there is a reason not to wait.
- 04
Before
Surgical decision, made together
If pain persists or weakness progresses, a named consultant spinal surgeon reviews you and explains the specific operation and the alternatives.
- 05
On the day
Day of surgery
Admission, consent, marking of the correct level and side, general anaesthetic, and a microscopic or tubular discectomy typically lasting 60 to 90 minutes.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day or after one night
Most lumbar microdiscectomies go home the same day or the next morning. ACDF and cervical arthroplasty usually stay one night.
- 07
After
Rehabilitation and review
Structured physiotherapy from around two weeks, office work at 2 to 4 weeks, heavy manual work at 6 to 12 weeks, and a surgical review at 6 weeks.
Typical end-to-end: 6–12 weeks from first review to surgery when a conservative trial is appropriate. Full return to heavy work: up to 12 weeks after.
When it helps
When a discectomy is the right step.
The situations we see most, plus the one red flag that means an emergency rather than an appointment.
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Sciatica with confirmed disc prolapse
Radicular leg pain in an L4, L5 or S1 distribution, with an MRI showing a disc compressing the matching nerve root.
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Cervical radiculopathy
Arm pain, tingling or weakness from a cervical disc compressing a nerve root at C5, C6 or C7.
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Progressive motor weakness
A foot drop or new weakness in a specific muscle group is an indication to bring surgery forward.
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Failed conservative management
Six to twelve weeks of physiotherapy, analgesia and often a nerve root injection have not settled the pain.
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Recurrent disc herniation
A second herniation at the same level after a previous discectomy — sometimes needing revision surgery or fusion.
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Cervical myelopathy
Cord compression with clumsy hands, balance changes or gait disturbance — usually needs earlier decompression.
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Thoracic disc prolapse
Rare, and technically demanding — usually reserved for progressive myelopathy or intractable radicular chest wall pain.
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Red flag: cauda equina — 999
Saddle numbness, new bladder or bowel changes, or bilateral leg weakness is a surgical emergency. Go to A&E now — not a clinic booking.
Procedure options
Open discectomy is not the only option.
What each option on the table actually involves — and which fits which problem.
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Lumbar microdiscectomy
The standard operation for a lumbar disc prolapse. A small paraspinal muscle-splitting incision, a microscope or tubular retractor, a small laminotomy, and the offending fragment removed.
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Endoscopic percutaneous discectomy
A truly minimally invasive alternative — a 7–8 mm portal, an endoscope, and the fragment removed under continuous irrigation. Suitable for selected herniations.
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ACDF — anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
For cervical disc disease. The disc is removed from the front of the neck and replaced with a cage or bone graft that fuses the two vertebrae.
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Cervical disc replacement (arthroplasty)
An alternative to ACDF that preserves motion at the operated level using an artificial disc — the right choice for many younger patients.
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Thoracic discectomy
Uncommon and technically demanding — usually approached from the side or front rather than the back to avoid the spinal cord.
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Nerve root injection
A targeted steroid injection at the compressed root — both diagnostic (confirms the level) and therapeutic (often gives lasting relief).
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Structured non-surgical care
Physiotherapy, activity modification, neuropathic analgesia and often a nerve root injection — settles most disc prolapses within 6 to 12 weeks.
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Consultation only
An honest second opinion from a consultant spinal surgeon on whether surgery is the right next step — no obligation.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of spinal surgeons, we picked them.
Consultant spinal neurosurgeons and orthopaedic spinal surgeons across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every spinal surgeon in our network.
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Consultant spinal neurosurgeons or orthopaedic spinal surgeons — not generalists
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A high annual volume of discectomy and cervical spine cases
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Microscopic, tubular and endoscopic technique available
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ACDF and cervical arthroplasty both offered, so the choice is genuine
Safety and recovery
The risks that actually matter — honestly.
Discectomy is a common, well-understood operation. The risks that actually matter are recurrent herniation, dural tear, the small chance of persistent pain, and — over years — adjacent-segment disease after fusion.
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Recurrent herniation is the main risk
Around 5 to 10 percent of lumbar discectomy patients get a re-herniation at the same level. It can settle on its own or need revision surgery.
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Dural tear and CSF leak
A small tear in the dural sac occurs in 1 to 5 percent of cases. Repaired on the day; occasionally causes a headache that settles with flat bed rest.
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Nerve root injury is uncommon
New or worsened weakness or numbness in the operated nerve occurs in around 1 percent — usually temporary, rarely permanent.
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Wrong-level surgery is prevented, not just avoided
Intra-operative imaging and formal level-marking protocols are used at every case — this is a governance issue, not a talent one.
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Infection is uncommon but real
Superficial wound infection in around 1 percent; deep infection or discitis is rarer but slower to treat and worth knowing about.
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DVT and PE are low but not zero
Early mobilisation, compression stockings and hydration are the standard precautions after any spinal procedure.
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Adjacent-segment disease after fusion
After ACDF, the level above or below can wear out faster over years — one reason cervical arthroplasty exists as an alternative.
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Failed back surgery syndrome
A small number of patients have persistent pain despite technically successful surgery — the honest reason we do not rush to operate.
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Red flags after surgery
New saddle numbness, bladder or bowel changes, spreading weakness, fever or a leaking wound need same-day contact with the surgical team or A&E.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever technique was used, the note the surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Surgical language is precise and can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your six-week review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication, level and side
Why the operation was done — for example an L5/S1 right-sided disc prolapse with an L5 radiculopathy — and the level marked and confirmed on imaging.
- 02 Technique
Approach, anaesthetic and hardware
Whether a microscope, tubular retractor or endoscope was used, whether a cage, plate or artificial disc was inserted, and any intra-operative imaging.
- 03 Findings
Fragment, nerve root and dura
What was found — free fragment vs contained bulge, condition of the nerve root, any dural tear and its repair, blood loss.
- 04 Impression
Recovery plan and red flags
Read this first: mobilisation from day one, return-to-work timelines, physiotherapy start date, and the specific symptoms that mean call us today.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for discectomy is usually good through major insurers when there is a matching MRI and a failed conservative trial. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about discectomy.
Quick answers on timing, risks, ACDF vs arthroplasty, and how long you actually need off work.
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How do I know if I need a discectomy?
The typical patient has severe, one-sided leg or arm pain in a specific nerve distribution, an MRI showing a disc compressing that exact nerve root, and either progressive weakness or 6 to 12 weeks of non-surgical treatment that has not helped. Cauda equina — saddle numbness or new bladder or bowel changes — is a 999 emergency and not part of an elective decision.
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What is the difference between a microdiscectomy and an endoscopic discectomy?
A microdiscectomy uses a microscope and a small (2–3 cm) muscle-splitting incision — it is the well-established standard. An endoscopic discectomy uses a 7–8 mm portal and an endoscope — smaller wound, faster early recovery, but only suitable for certain fragment locations and requires a surgeon trained specifically in the technique.
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ACDF or cervical disc replacement — which is better?
Neither is universally better. ACDF fuses the two vertebrae and is well proven; arthroplasty preserves motion and may reduce wear on adjacent levels over the long term. Age, level, disc height, facet joint condition and personal preference all matter — a good surgeon will explain both honestly for your specific case.
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How much does a private discectomy cost in London?
Roughly £9,500–£14,500 for a lumbar microdiscectomy, £10,500–£16,000 for endoscopic, £15,000–£22,000 for ACDF and £16,000–£24,000 for cervical arthroplasty. Cover is usually good through major insurers when there is a matching MRI and failed conservative treatment. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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How long is recovery, and when can I go back to work?
Most people are walking on day one. Desk work at 2 to 4 weeks, light manual work at 4 to 6 weeks, and heavy manual or lifting work at 6 to 12 weeks. Driving is usually 1 to 2 weeks after lumbar surgery and 2 to 4 weeks after cervical surgery.
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What are the main risks I should actually think about?
The realistic ones are recurrent disc herniation at the same level (5–10 percent for lumbar surgery), a dural tear (1–5 percent), infection (around 1 percent), and — for a small minority — persistent pain despite technically successful surgery (failed back surgery syndrome). Cauda equina from the operation itself is rare but the specific reason we correlate imaging with symptoms carefully.
Related tests
Looking for something else?
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Decompression and neurolysis of nerves
Peripheral nerve decompression — related surgical options.
Learn more -
Musculoskeletal MRI
The imaging that guides every discectomy decision.
Learn more -
Nerve conduction studies
Confirms and localises nerve root and peripheral nerve injury.
Learn more -
All tests
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more