|  | Surgeries Operations | Surgeries

What to Expect After Lumbar Disc Surgery

There are several forms of lumbar disc surgery, all of which aim to alleviate your pain by removing pressure from the spinal nerves. This may involve removing a portion of the affected lumbar disc (microdiscectomy) or removing the entire disc and replacing it with an artificial implant. After you recover from your operation, your pain should be significantly improved.

  1. Pain Relief

    • Depending on the complexity of the operation, you may receive pain medication intravenously (through an IV), orally or with a PCA (patient controlled analgesia) pump. You will be discharged with a prescription for oral medication.

    Physical Therapy

    • The physical therapy team will get you sitting and walking on the first day after your surgery. You'll also be taught how to move without placing any additional strain on your back. Your doctor may recommend outpatient therapy after you go home.

    Average Hospital Stay

    • In general, hospital stays range from one or two days for a minimally invasive operation to five days for more complex procedures.

    Returning to Normal Activities

    • You will be able to return to work within two to eight weeks, depending on your surgery and the type of work that you do. Sexual activity can typically be resumed after two weeks and driving is usually allowed once you are cleared by your doctor and off of all pain medicine.

    Taking Care of Your Wound

    • Keep your wound clean and dry. Avoid scrubbing or soaking the incision, cover the incision with plastic wrap when showering and avoid taking tub baths. Your sutures will need to be removed within 14 days.

    Watching for Infection

    • Signs of infection include an increase in swelling, redness or draining at the incision site; a fever above 100 degrees Fahrenheit; and an increase in pain.

Surgeries - Related Articles