Discectomy surgery is done to relieve pain, numbness or muscle weakness in the lower back, legs, or neck. The pain is caused by pressure on the spinal nerves from a tear in discs in the back that act like a shock absorber muscle protecting the spine. To repair this herniated disc, a cut is made in the back to remove all or part of the damaged disc. 

There may be large differences in the cost of this surgery because more surgical centers provide this treatment which usually is done in an outpatient center and the patient returns home the same day. 

Many patients treat back pain without surgery.  Treatments include physical therapy, yoga, anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections, and exercise.  If non-surgical options are unsuccessful, other surgery options include microdiscectomy – a smaller cut is made in the back and a microscope guides the surgery –  or replacement of the disc with an artificial disc.

These are 2023 prices.  Use the link below to see if you can get a current, personalized cost estimate from your health insurer.