PORT Adelaide forward Jay Schulz has had surgery to repair a prolapsed disc in his back and the Power will now place him on their long-term injury list.

On Monday, a specialist recommended Schulz should have surgery and the Power had no choice but to act on that advice.

The 30-year-old experienced discomfort in his back after the Power’s opening round win over St Kilda and missed rounds two and three.

Schulz will be out for an indefinite period, Power high performance manager Darren Burgess said. 

"We tried running him at training over the weekend and he pulled up pretty sore after that. We were able to see a specialist late yesterday (Monday)," Burgess told the club's website. 

"He went in for surgery this afternoon, which was a success, and now it's just about ensuring his care during recovery.

"Backs need a bit more care, so we need to take the rehab slowly with him. At this stage we've not put a time frame on his return."

Power coach Ken Hinkley flagged the need for surgery in an interview with Channel Nine on Monday night 

"In the short to long-term, Jay may be in a bit of risk, but after a bit of recovery time I think he'll be OK," Hinkley said of Schulz. 

"Jay had surgery last year at the end of the season and there's a possibility that he may have something similar needed to be done." 

The club has no plans at this stage to elevate a rookie to the senior squad to replace Schulz. 

The Power upgraded Nathan Krakouer, who will serve a club-imposed suspension until round six, as its nominated rookie in February.