Microdiscectomy in Louisville, Kentucky
Outpatient lumbar disc surgery with same-day discharge. Real relief from sciatica, herniated disc pain, and pinched nerves, performed by Aptiva Health's Louisville spine care team. Medically reviewed by Michael Casnellie, MD, David McConda, MD, and Steven Ganzel, DO - May 2026.
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Outpatient Microdiscectomy — Get Back to Life Faster
If you've been living with sciatica, leg pain, or numbness from a herniated disc — and physical therapy, injections, and time haven't fixed it — microdiscectomy is the most proven surgical option to get you out of pain.
At Aptiva Health in Louisville, lumbar microdiscectomy is performed in an outpatient setting. That means no hospital stay, no extended admission, and recovery in the comfort of your own home — usually the same afternoon as your surgery. Most patients are walking within hours and back to desk work within one to two weeks.
Your care is led by Aptiva's experienced Louisville spine team — including board-certified spine and orthopedic surgeons and advanced practice providers who specialize exclusively in spine and musculoskeletal care.
Conditions Treated
Conditions We Treat With Microdiscectomy
Microdiscectomy is the gold-standard surgical treatment for nerve compression in the lower back caused by a herniated disc. It is most commonly used for:
Sciatica — sharp, burning, or shooting pain that radiates from the lower back down the buttock and into the leg
Lumbar radiculopathy — pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg caused by an irritated nerve root
Herniated lumbar disc — a disc in the lower spine that has bulged or ruptured and is pressing on a nerve
Pinched nerve in the lower back
Foot drop or leg weakness caused by nerve compression
Failed conservative treatment — patients who have not improved after 6+ weeks of physical therapy, anti-inflammatories, and/or epidural steroid injections
Not sure if your back pain is a disc issue? → Spine Surgery Louisville
What to Expect From Microdiscectomy Surgery
Before Surgery
MRI of the lumbar spine to confirm the herniated disc and identify the affected nerve
Medical clearance and pre-operative consultation with your Aptiva provider
Fasting instructions per anesthesia protocol
Arrange a ride home — you cannot drive yourself
Day of Surgery
Arrive 1-2 hours before surgery start time
General anesthesia administered
Small incision (typically less than 1 inch) made in the lower back
Using surgical magnification, the surgeon carefully removes the portion of the disc pressing on the nerve, preserving the healthy disc structure
Procedure typically takes about one hour
1-2 hours in recovery, then discharge home the same day
After Surgery
Walk within hours of surgery
Most patients report immediate relief of leg pain
Light activity resumes within days
Desk work: typically 1-2 weeks
Physical labor: typically 4-6 weeks
Post-operative follow-up at 2 weeks and 6 weeks
Physical therapy may be recommended starting at 2-4 weeks
Why Choose Aptiva Health for Your Spine Surgery
Outpatient. Not a hospital. Microdiscectomy doesn't need a hospital stay. We perform it in an outpatient setting so you recover at home, in your own bed, with your family — not in a hospital ward.
A dedicated spine team Spine surgery isn't a side specialty at Aptiva — it's a focus. Our Louisville team includes board-certified spine and orthopedic surgeons plus dedicated PAs and a nurse practitioner who care for spine patients every day.
Fast access Stop waiting weeks for an answer. Most patients see an Aptiva spine provider within days of calling. If surgery is the right answer, we move quickly to get you scheduled and out of pain.
One team, start to finish From your first call to your final post-op visit, you'll work with the same Aptiva team. We handle insurance verification, scheduling, and post-op care in-house.
Cash-pay options available For patients without insurance — or with high deductibles — we offer transparent, all-inclusive cash-pay pricing. No surprise hospital bills.
Your Louisville Spine Care Team
At Aptiva Health, your spine care is delivered by a team of board-certified surgeons and advanced practice providers who focus on the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of conditions of the cervical and lumbar spine — including herniated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and degenerative spine conditions.
Dr. Casnellie has been treating spine patients in Louisville since 2005 and is one of the most experienced motion-preservation spine surgeons in Kentucky. He performed Kentucky's first Mobi-C cervical artificial disc replacement — a procedure that preserves motion at the affected level of the cervical spine instead of fusing it — and remains one of the few surgeons in the state offering both cervical and lumbar disc replacement to appropriate candidates.
Dr. David McConda is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon at Aptiva Health, fellowship-trained at OrthoCarolina Spine Center in Charlotte through the AOSpine North America Spine Surgery Fellowship — the premier spine-surgery training program of AOSpine, the international foundation that sets clinical standards in spine care. A Kentucky native who earned his MD at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Dr. McConda specializes in minimally invasive cervical and lumbar surgery and SI joint fusion. He sees patients in Louisville, Lexington, and (beginning April 2026) Indianapolis, and is licensed to practice in both Kentucky and Indiana.
Steven Ganzel, DO - Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Interventional Pain Management
Dr. Ganzel is double board-certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Interventional Pain Management. For the Aptiva Health Spine Team, he performs fluoroscopy-guided epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, medial branch blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and other interventional pain procedures for patients — many of which provide lasting relief and prevent the need for surgical intervention.
Kayla Troutman is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University where she received her Bachelor's degree in Health Science in 2014, while also playing division 1 college basketball. She then earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant in 2018 from Sullivan University and is a board-certified physician assistant.
During her time as a PA-C, Kayla has worked in emergency medicine, regenerative orthopedic medicine and returned to Sullivan as an assistant professor.
David Koonce, ARNP, DNP, FNP-C is a Doctor of Nursing Practice and Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with more than 15 years of successful nursing experience in various clinical and leadership roles within dynamic health care settings. David works directly with Dr. Casnellie in the Spine department to evaluate, diagnose, and treat spine conditions, diseases, and injuries. David also has a strong background in wellness and has completed advanced training in hormone optimization, anti-aging, and injury prevention.
With 33 years of experience as a practicing physician assistant, Michael Gilbert has dedicated his expertise to the field of general orthopedics, spine care, joint injections, and fracture care. Michael lis married with two daughter and serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Kentucky Army National Guard.
In addition to his military service, Michael dons the hat of a soccer referee and showcases his culinary talents as a pastry chef.
Insurances Accepted
Aptiva Health accepts most major insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid Managed Care, workers' compensation, auto insurance (PIP and Medpay). We verify benefits and provide a clear cost estimate before surgery.
For patients paying out of pocket, we offer transparent, bundled cash-pay pricing for microdiscectomy that includes the surgeon, facility, anesthesia, and post-operative visits — no surprise itemized hospital bills.
Call 502-414-0036 to verify your insurance or request a cash-pay quote.
Ready to Stop Living With Sciatica?
If you've been suffering with leg pain, numbness, or weakness from a herniated disc — and conservative care hasn't worked — it's time to talk to Aptiva's spine team.
Schedule a Spine Consultation in Louisville
Aptiva Health — Spine Center of Excellence 3615 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY 40218. Phone: 1-866-439-6696
Additional Louisville locations also serving spine patients:
Louisville East — 10100 Linn Station Road, Suite 1A, Louisville, KY 40223. Tel: 502-465-8254
Louisville Downtown — 300 South 13th Street, Louisville, KY 40203. Tel: 502-583-1011
Louisville Imaging — 3615 Newburg Road, Suite 106, Louisville, KY 40218. Tel: 502-465-8254
Louisville Middletown — 401 N English Station Road, Suite 1A, Louisville, KY 40223. Tel: 502-465-8254
Concussion & Sports Medicine Institute (on-site MRI) — 3611 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY 40218. Tel: 502-465-8254
Elizabethtown location serving spine patients:
Aptiva Health Orthopedics - Elizabethtown — 529 Westport Road, Suite 2, Elizabethtown, KY 42701. Tel: 270-512-5480
Mt. Washington location serving spine patients:
Aptiva Health Orthopedics - Mt. Washington — 737 N Hwy 31e Bypass, Suite 2, Mt. Washington, KY 40047. Tel: 502-465-8254
Schedule your appointment today!
Microdiscectomy: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lumbar microdiscectomy?
A lumbar microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive spine surgery that removes the herniated portion of a lumbar disc pressing on a spinal nerve. The surgeon uses a small incision, microsurgical instruments, and magnification to relieve nerve compression while preserving the healthy part of the disc. It is the most commonly performed surgery for sciatica caused by a herniated disc.
Is microdiscectomy an outpatient procedure?
Yes. At Aptiva Health in Louisville, lumbar microdiscectomy is performed as an outpatient procedure. Most patients go home the same day, usually within a few hours of surgery, and avoid an overnight hospital stay.
How long does microdiscectomy take?
The procedure itself typically takes about one hour. Including pre-operative preparation, anesthesia, and recovery, patients are generally at the facility for four to six hours total before being discharged home.
How long is the recovery after microdiscectomy?
Most patients walk within hours of surgery and return to light, desk-based work within one to two weeks. Patients with physically demanding jobs typically return to full duty within four to six weeks. Sciatic nerve pain often improves immediately after surgery, with continued healing over the following weeks.
Who will I see at Aptiva Health for spine care?
At Aptiva Health in Louisville, your spine care is delivered by a team that includes board-certified spine and orthopedic surgeons — Dr. Karthik Chunduri, Dr. Michael Casnellie, Dr. McConda, and Dr. Ganzel — along with advanced practice providers Kayla Troutman, PA-C, David Koonce, DNP, and Michael Gilbert, PA-C. Together, this team handles evaluation, surgical care, and post-operative follow-up.
How do I know if I need microdiscectomy surgery?
Microdiscectomy is generally considered after at least six weeks of non-surgical treatment (physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and epidural steroid injections) has failed to relieve symptoms. Candidates typically have leg pain (sciatica) worse than back pain, MRI evidence of a herniated disc pressing on a nerve, and a clinical exam consistent with that nerve compression. A consultation with Aptiva Health's spine team can confirm whether surgery is appropriate.
Will my insurance cover microdiscectomy?
Most major commercial insurance plans, Medicare, and workers' compensation cover medically necessary microdiscectomy. Aptiva Health accepts most major insurance carriers and verifies benefits before surgery. We also offer transparent cash-pay options for self-pay patients.
What is the success rate of microdiscectomy?
Microdiscectomy has one of the highest success rates of any spine surgery. Published clinical studies report approximately 85 to 95 percent of patients experience significant relief of leg pain (sciatica) following the procedure. Outcomes are best when the procedure is performed by an experienced spine surgeon on appropriately selected patients.
What's the difference between microdiscectomy and discectomy?
Both remove herniated disc material to relieve nerve compression. The difference is technique: a traditional discectomy uses a larger incision and direct visualization, while a microdiscectomy uses a smaller incision with surgical magnification (microscope or loupes). Microdiscectomy generally results in less tissue disruption, less post-operative pain, and faster recovery.
How soon can I drive after microdiscectomy?
Most patients can resume driving within one to two weeks, once they are off prescription narcotic pain medication and can comfortably move their leg in an emergency stop motion. Your Aptiva Health spine provider will give individualized return-to-driving guidance at your post-operative follow-up.