The best results in endoscopic herniated disc treatment
- 27,600+endoscopic and spine operations, the largest experience in Central Asia
- 0.1%complications after herniated disc operations, in our own series
- 2%of patients had the herniation come back within 3 years, in our own series
- 1–4 hoursmost patients walk on their own within this time
The figures are from the team’s own series, as of November 2026. They are not a comparison with other clinics and not a guarantee: your specific risk depends on the operation and your health.
What a herniated disc is
The soft core of a disc between two vertebrae pushes out and presses on a nerve: in the lower back this causes pain running down the leg (sciatica), in the neck pain running down the arm.
When surgery is needed
- Most often it is not. In a systematic review of imaging studies, 70% of extrusions and 96% of sequestrations shrank without surgery.
- If leg pain lasts 6–12 weeks despite treatment, or limits your life, surgery is considered.
- Worsening weakness, numbness in the “saddle” area or bladder problems are an emergency: see a doctor at once.
How a 7 mm endoscopic operation goes
- The herniated fragment is removed through a 7 mm incision with an endoscope, under camera view.
- Almost all endoscopic lower-back operations are done under spinal anaesthesia: you are awake, feel nothing below the waist, and the operation carries none of the risks of general anaesthesia.
- Most patients walk on their own within 1–4 hours and go home in 1–2 days.
- Neck and upper-back herniations are operated under general anaesthesia; most of these patients also walk within 1–4 hours.
5 questions for choosing a surgeon
- How many endoscopic herniated disc operations have you performed?
- What are the complication and recurrence rates in your own series?
- Will the operation be endoscopic through 7 mm, or open?
- Spinal anaesthesia or general?
- Could my herniation shrink without surgery?
We answer each of these questions with a number.
Questions
Who is the best surgeon for a herniated disc in Tashkent?
The team’s four surgeons (Dr. Akhror Yakubov, Dr. Shomansur Shotursunov, Dr. Temur Duschanov and Dr. Dilmurod Kandimov) operate on herniated discs endoscopically through a 7 mm incision. The team performed Tashkent’s first endoscopic spine operation and has done 27,600+ operations; in our series, complications after herniated disc operations have been 0.1%. Since 2020, roughly 90% of Uzbekistan’s endoscopic spine surgeons have trained with this team. Complex cases are reviewed by a consilium of the four surgeons.
Is endoscopic herniated disc surgery dangerous?
Like any operation it carries risk, but the risk is low. The 7 mm endoscopic incision lowers the risk of infection, blood loss and muscle damage; lower-back operations are almost always done under spinal anaesthesia, without the risks of general anaesthesia. In our series, complications after herniated disc operations have been 0.1%.
Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?
In many cases, yes: most herniations shrink within a few months. That is why, without warning signs, surgery is usually not considered before 6–12 weeks.
Can the herniation come back after surgery?
Yes, with any method, endoscopic or open. In our series the herniation came back within 3 years in 2% of patients. A recurrent herniation can often be removed with the same 7 mm endoscopic method.
Will the pain go away after herniated disc surgery?
In our experience almost all patients have less leg pain, and most become pain-free. The pain usually goes first; numbness and weakness recover more slowly, over weeks or months.
How do I send my MRI?
Send your MRI images on Telegram or WhatsApp. Within 24 hours a doctor replies by voice and tells you whether you need surgery. For patients who live far away, that is the most important step. You receive the team’s written conclusion at the in-person consultation in the clinic.