Diskectomy Cost and Procedure Information

A diskectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a disk from the spine (or part of a disk) to relieve pain, numbness or weakness in the neck, back, arms or legs. These procedures are typically performed laparoscopically — small incisions and laparoscope with a camera and surgical instruments attached. Patients who have laparoscopic diskectomies can usually go home the day of the surgery.

National Diskectomy Procedure Pricing Summary

National Minimum Price $12,640 (Searcy, AR)
National Average Price $20,539
National Maximum Price $34,759 (Searcy, AR)

Diskectomy Cost Averages Around the Country

Price Range
Seattle, WA Diskectomy Cost Average $12,700 - $34,700
Minneapolis, MN Diskectomy Cost Average $13,100 - $35,900
San Francisco, CA Diskectomy Cost Average $16,000 - $44,000
San Diego, CA Diskectomy Cost Average $14,700 - $40,200
St. Louis, MO Diskectomy Cost Average $10,600 - $29,200
Denver, CO Diskectomy Cost Average $11,700 - $32,000
Tampa, FL Diskectomy Cost Average $10,400 - $28,400
Baltimore, MD Diskectomy Cost Average $10,300 - $28,100
Boston, MA Diskectomy Cost Average $17,900 - $49,000
Detroit, MI Diskectomy Cost Average $11,900 - $32,600
Click to find out more about how to use the pricing information shown on this site.

Featured Facilities that Perform Diskectomy

Name Location Price Range
Certified Providers Price Range
Panama City Surgery Center Panama City , FL $7,400 - $20,300
Providers Price Range
Sandhills Orthopaedic and Spine Clinic Pinehurst , NC $9,300 - $25,400
Ochsner Lsu Health Monroe Monroe , LA $14,700 - $40,300
Highlands Joint and Spine Orthopedics Sebring , FL $9,100 - $25,100
Florida Coastal Surgery Center Naples , FL $7,400 - $20,300
Capital Health Medical Center - Hopewell Trenton , NJ $18,400 - $50,600
Jefferson Day Surgery Center Boise , ID $7,000 - $19,000
Crouse Hospital Syracuse , NY $15,300 - $41,900
Gulf Coast Medical Center Biloxi , MS $14,300 - $39,300
SCA Nashville Surgery Center Nashville , TN $7,100 - $19,400
St Johns Regional Medical Center Oxnard , CA $20,900 - $57,300
Vacavalley Hospital Vacaville , CA $22,300 - $61,300
Northwest Medical Center Tucson , AZ $14,000 - $38,500
Houma Surgi-center and Urology Clinic Houma , LA $6,800 - $18,700
Feather River Hospital Paradise , CA $22,500 - $61,900
Physicians Surgery Center of Chattanooga Chattanooga , TN $6,700 - $18,400
Valley Outpatient Surgery Center Spokane Valley , WA $9,000 - $24,600
Sharp Memorial Hospital San Diego , CA $20,800 - $57,100
Mercy Medical Center Merced - Dominican Campus Merced , CA $22,200 - $61,000
St. Mary's Ambulatory Surgery Center Richmond , VA $7,300 - $19,900
Summit Surgery Center Covington , LA $6,700 - $18,400
North Hawaii Community Hospital, Inc Kamuela , HI $19,600 - $53,800
Aloha Surgical Center Kahului , HI $9,500 - $26,200
Springhill Medical Center Mobile , AL $13,900 - $38,200
Centura Health - St Anthony Hospital Denver , CO $16,800 - $46,100
St Cloud Hospital Saint Cloud , MN $18,500 - $50,900
Idaho Falls Surgical Center ASC Idaho Falls , ID $7,000 - $19,000
Ambulatory Care Center Vineland , NJ $8,700 - $24,000
Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center Yakima , WA $19,000 - $52,200
James E Davis Ambulatory Surgery Ctr Durham , NC $7,700 - $21,000

Diskectomy Information & Details

Diskectomy Cost and Procedure Introduction

A diskectomy is a procedure during which a disk from the spine (or part of a disk) is removed to relieve pain, numbness or weakness. These symptoms can affect your neck, back, arms and legs. Diskectomies work best for radiating symptoms and doesn’t work as well for acute neck or back pain. These surgeries are typically performed after more conservative treatments have proven ineffective. Though there are several ways to perform a diskectomy, surgeons typically prefer to perform the surgery laparoscopically — small incisions and laparoscope with a camera and surgical instruments attached. Patients are often able to go home the day of the procedure, though more extensive surgeries may require patients to stay in the hospital overnight. These procedures are conducted using general anesthesia. Laparoscopic surgery is often associated with a lower rate of complications, a shorter hospital stay and better cosmetic results than the open procedure. Patients can return to work after two to six weeks, depending on the physical demands of the job and the extent of the damage repaired.

Patient Preparation for Diskectomy

A physical examination will be performed along with blood work and other diagnostic tests. It is particularly important to inform the physician of all medications or vitamins taken regularly or if you are pregnant (or think you might be pregnant). Also, let your doctor know if you have heart, lung or other medical conditions that may need special attention and, finally, if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medications, aspirin or other medications that affect blood clotting. You will be given instructions in advance that will outline what you should and should not do in preparation for the surgery; be sure to read and follow those instructions. You will be asked to fast for eight hours before the procedure, generally after midnight. It is also important to prepare your home for when you get home from the hospital and during recovery. Move necessary items to areas which will not require you to bend or reach. You will need to make arrangements for transportation after the surgery is complete. If you are given a prescription for pain medication, have it filled prior to surgery.

What to Expect During and After Diskectomy

The amount of time in surgery varies, depending on the extent of the damage. The pre-op preparation and recovery time may add several hours. An intravenous line is inserted into the arm to administer a sedative and a painkiller. Your heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen level will be monitored during the procedure. In most cases, the procedure is done while you are under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). The surgeon makes a cut over the area of the bulging or damaged disk. In some cases, a small piece of bone or synthetic bone will be added to fill the space left by the removed piece. The surgeon may connect the adjoining vertebrae with metal hardware. Finally, the incision will be closed with stitches or staples.

After surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room for observation. Once your blood pressure, pulse and breathing are stable and you are alert, you will be discharged to your home or moved to a hospital room. Before being discharged, you will be given instructions about care for your incisions, limits on activities and what you should do to aid your recovery. If you notice any of the following, call the number the hospital gave you: Fever, excessive sweating, difficulty urinating, redness, bleeding or worsening pain.

In the news

CNN Health The Seattle Times NPR