Lumbar Disc Herniation · Sciatica · Spine

Lumbar Disc Herniation

From medication and physical therapy to interventional methods and, when needed, endoscopic surgery — a case-specific treatment plan.

Dr. Özgür Akşan · Neurosurgery · İzmir, Türkiye

Send your MRI and we will review the herniation and your options together — a second opinion is welcome.

From conservative care to surgery

Treating a disc herniation is not a single method. Care usually starts with the least invasive step; surgery is considered only when needed. The right step depends on your symptoms and findings.

Medication & physical therapy

Most new or mild-to-moderate disc herniations can settle without surgery. Treatment usually begins at this step, with pain control, activity balance and physical therapy.

Interventional pain methods

In selected cases that do not respond well to medication and physical therapy, epidural injection, caudal block or radiofrequency may be considered as an intermediate step.

Surgery — endoscopic / microdiscectomy

When leg pain persists, weakness progresses, or conservative care is insufficient, endoscopic discectomy or microdiscectomy is evaluated. The technique is chosen case by case.

When an evaluation may help

Pain, numbness or tingling radiating from the back into the leg (sciatica)
Insufficient response to medication and physical therapy, and looking for the next options
A disc herniation seen on MRI, wondering whether surgery is needed
Previous spine surgery with ongoing symptoms — seeking a re-assessment or a second opinion

Not every disc herniation needs surgery

Many herniations improve with conservative care — medication and physical therapy — and do not require an operation. Interventional methods such as epidural injection or radiofrequency may help in selected cases. Surgery (endoscopic discectomy or microdiscectomy) is considered when leg pain persists, weakness progresses, or conservative care is insufficient. The right path is decided together, case by case. This page is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation.

Dr. Özgür Akşan

Neurosurgeon

A careful, case-specific approach to lumbar disc herniation — a realistic assessment of conservative, interventional and surgical options, and an honest plan that avoids unnecessary surgery.