Spine surgery is traditionally an “open surgery”. This means that the operated area is opened with a long incision to allow the surgeon to view and access the anatomy. However, in recent years, advances in technology have made it possible to treat more back and neck conditions with minimally invasive surgical techniques. The surgery involves an incision in the back of the spine that allows the surgeon to remove bone spurs and thickened ligaments that press on nerves in the lower back. Microdiscectomy is used to treat nerve pain due to a herniated disc that affects a spinal nerve.