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Spinal Disc Surgery - targeted, motion-preserving where possible.

Microdiscectomy for lumbar sciatica, ACDF and cervical disc replacement for neck disc - with a consultant spinal surgeon, MRI-first, and only after physiotherapy has genuinely been tried.

See indicative pricing
A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What spinal disc surgery costs privately in the UK.

Indicative ranges across our spinal network.

In short

£9,500–£16,000, day-case or one night.

Procedure Indicative range
Consultant spinal surgeon consultation £300–£500
MRI lumbar or cervical spine £450–£800
Lumbar microdiscectomy £9,500–£16,000
Anterior cervical discectomy + fusion (ACDF) £13,000–£22,000
Cervical disc replacement (1 level) £17,000–£28,000
Lumbar disc replacement £22,000–£35,000
Endoscopic discectomy £11,000–£18,000

Prices vary by hospital, by consultant fee, by number of levels operated, and by implant cost (artificial discs and cages). Cervical disc replacement is at the top of the range because of device costs.

The problem

The right diagnosis, the right level, the right technique.

Spinal disc surgery is where over-operation happens quietly - surgery for the wrong indication or level, fusion where motion could be preserved. We fix all three before you consent.

  • MRI and symptom correlation

    MRI findings are only meaningful when they match the symptoms. Many discs bulge without causing pain.

  • Physio first, unless red flags

    Six weeks of proper physio is not delay - it is treatment. 60% of sciatica resolves without surgery.

  • Motion-preserving where possible

    Cervical disc replacement often beats ACDF. Microdiscectomy usually beats fusion. Do not fuse where you can preserve.

When it helps

When disc surgery is the right step.

The situations we see most, plus the two red flags that mean same-day acute spinal referral, not an outpatient booking.

  • Lumbar disc prolapse with sciatica

    Leg pain, weakness or numbness in a dermatomal pattern, matching MRI, failing 6+ weeks of physio. The classic microdiscectomy indication.

  • Cervical disc herniation with radiculopathy

    Arm pain, weakness or numbness in a specific nerve root, matching MRI. ACDF or disc replacement candidate.

  • Cervical myelopathy

    Hand clumsiness, gait imbalance, hyperreflexia - spinal cord compression at neck level. Usually needs surgery to prevent progression.

  • Foraminal stenosis

    Bony narrowing squeezing a nerve root at its exit - targeted decompression alongside disc surgery.

  • Recurrent disc after previous surgery

    Return of symptoms after prior microdiscectomy - revision surgery is more delicate but usually possible.

  • Degenerative disc disease with instability

    Chronic mechanical back pain plus radiological instability - selected candidates for fusion or disc replacement.

  • Central lumbar disc with claudication

    A large central prolapse causing bilateral leg symptoms without cauda equina - often needs decompression.

  • Red flag: cauda equina symptoms

    Sudden bilateral leg pain, saddle numbness, urinary retention or new incontinence needs same-day A&E and emergency MRI - not a private clinic booking.

Techniques

Microscopic, tubular, endoscopic, replacement - the toolbox has grown.

What each option involves - approach, incision size, whether motion is preserved, and typical recovery.

  • Microdiscectomy (lumbar)

    The workhorse for lumbar sciatica. Microscope, small incision, disc fragment removed, nerve root freed. Day-case in most cases.

  • Tubular / minimally invasive discectomy

    Same operation through a slightly smaller port with muscle-splitting technique. Faster recovery in some series.

  • Endoscopic discectomy

    Through a very small port with an endoscope. Best in specific single-level cases; not for every anatomy.

  • ACDF (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion)

    The classic for cervical disc pathology. Removes disc, decompresses cord and nerve, fuses vertebrae with cage and plate.

  • Cervical disc replacement

    Preserves motion, may reduce adjacent-level disease. Reserved for selected patients with good facet joints.

  • Lumbar disc replacement

    For selected younger patients with single-level degenerative disc disease and preserved facet joints. Less common than fusion.

  • Posterior cervical foraminotomy

    For single-level lateral cervical disc - motion-preserving, done from the back. Alternative to ACDF in selected cases.

  • Lumbar fusion

    For instability, spondylolisthesis or failed prior surgery. Fewer indications than sometimes claimed; done carefully after full workup.

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

Spinal disc surgery is well established. What we plan around: dural tear, nerve injury, recurrent disc, and adjacent-level disease after fusion.

  • Dural tear happens

    Small dural tears occur in 1–3% of lumbar discectomies. Almost all are repaired at the time with no long-term consequence.

  • Nerve injury is uncommon

    Permanent nerve injury is well under 1% in experienced hands. Transient numbness or weakness is more common and usually recovers.

  • Recurrent disc happens in 5–15%

    Depending on the study and time horizon. Revision surgery is usually possible but is more technically demanding.

  • Adjacent-level disease after fusion

    Fusion transfers load to the neighbouring level. Motion-preserving techniques were developed partly to reduce this risk.

  • Bleeding and infection are rare but real

    Wound infection under 2%, epidural haematoma much rarer but a surgical emergency if it happens.

  • CSF leak

    Persistent CSF leak after a dural tear is uncommon. Bed rest and, occasionally, revision surgery are used.

  • Voice change after ACDF

    Temporary hoarseness (recurrent laryngeal nerve traction) in 1–5%. Persistent voice change is much rarer.

  • Swallowing after anterior cervical surgery

    Transient dysphagia is common for a week or two after ACDF or cervical disc replacement - settles in most patients.

  • Red flags after surgery

    New leg or arm weakness, bladder change, spreading redness, fever, severe unrelieved pain or breathlessness need same-day review or A&E.

Reading your notes

Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever technique was used, the note keeps to the same shape.

A UK consultant spinal surgeon reviewing an operation note

A quiet reminder

Clinical language is precise - we translate it if you would like.

If you would like us to talk you through your notes before your review, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Indication, level and approach

    Symptomatic level, MRI correlation, procedure done and technique used.

  2. 02 Technique

    Instruments, implants and adjuncts

    Microscope, tubular retractor, endoscopic, or ACDF/replacement device details.

  3. 03 Findings

    Intra-op findings

    Disc pathology, dural integrity, nerve root freed, any incidental pathology.

  4. 04 Plan

    Rehab, physio and follow-up

    Read this first: mobilisation timing, physiotherapy start date, driving, work and follow-up review.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Spinal disc surgery is usually covered when medically indicated after failed conservative treatment. Cervical disc replacement sometimes needs pre-authorisation.

Frequently asked

Everything patients ask about spinal disc surgery.

Quick answers on microdiscectomy vs ACDF, cervical disc replacement, cost and recovery.

  • How do I know if I need disc surgery or more physiotherapy?

    Persistent leg or arm pain in a nerve-root distribution, weakness or altered reflexes, and MRI findings that match your symptoms suggest surgery may help - after six weeks of proper physiotherapy have failed. Weakness that is getting worse, or cauda equina symptoms, need urgent surgical review not more physio.

  • What is the difference between ACDF and cervical disc replacement?

    ACDF removes the disc and fuses the two vertebrae with a cage and plate - a proven, durable operation. Cervical disc replacement removes the disc and inserts a motion-preserving artificial disc - potentially reducing adjacent-level disease. Not every anatomy suits replacement; a consultant spinal surgeon decides based on facets and alignment.

  • How much does private spinal disc surgery cost in the UK?

    Roughly £9,500–£16,000 for lumbar microdiscectomy, £13,000–£22,000 for ACDF, £17,000–£28,000 for cervical disc replacement, and £22,000–£35,000 for lumbar disc replacement. Endoscopic discectomy runs £11,000–£18,000.

  • How long is recovery after microdiscectomy?

    Most patients are home the same day or after one night, off strong painkillers within a week, back to office work in 2–3 weeks, and to sport in 8–12 weeks. Structured physiotherapy from week 2–3 is the difference between an okay and a great outcome.

  • Will my sciatica come back after surgery?

    Around 90% of properly selected patients get significant leg pain relief from microdiscectomy. Recurrent disc happens in 5–15% depending on studies and time horizon. Good core, weight management and lifting technique meaningfully lower recurrence risk.

  • Can spinal disc surgery treat back pain?

    Honestly - usually no. Disc surgery targets nerve root or spinal cord compression from disc pathology (leg or arm pain, weakness, myelopathy). Isolated axial back pain without radiculopathy rarely improves from disc surgery, and other treatments (physio, injections, sometimes fusion) are more appropriate. We are honest about that in every consultation.

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