Is Microdiscectomy a major surgery?
Even though microdiscectomy recovery times are generally much faster than more invasive spinal surgeries, they’re still major procedures that involve general anesthetic.
How long does it take to fully recover from a Microdiscectomy?
Focus on rest, medication, and sleep. From there, exercise and physical therapy can improve recovery. The timeframe for a full recovery from microdiscectomy is about 12 weeks.
What is the success rate of Microdiscectomy?
Microdiscectomy Success Rates The success rate for microdiscectomy spine surgery is generally high, with one extensive medical study showing good or excellent results overall for 84% of people who have the procedure.
What is the difference between a discectomy and a Microdiscectomy?
Surgery Overview Discectomy is surgery to remove lumbar (low back) herniated disc material that is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord. It tends to be done as microdiscectomy, which uses a special microscope to view the disc and nerves. This larger view allows the surgeon to use a smaller cut (incision).
How painful is Microdiscectomy surgery?
Compared with other surgeries, the pain a patient might experience from a microdiscectomy is mild to moderate. Pain from the surgery typically subsides within one to two weeks. Oftentimes, Tylenol can be used to manage the pain, however, sometimes a small Vicodin prescription is given to get through the first few days.
How long do you stay in hospital after a discectomy?
It relieves pressure on the nerves and decreases symptoms such as numbness, tingling, pain and weakness. Surgery will last approximately 2 to 3 hours. You will be in the hospital approximately 3 days. What is a Lumbar (Low Back) Discectomy?
How soon can I walk after a Microdiscectomy?
Within 24 hours of surgery, you should be up and moving around. Although taking multiple short walks daily is encouraged, walking too much immediately after a microdiscectomy procedure can cause a setback to your recovery.
How long do you wear a back brace after Microdiscectomy?
Depending on the surgery and your general condition, you may only have to wear your back brace for two weeks or until your first post-op visit. Lumbar fusion surgery patients will have to wear their brace for a longer period of time, up to three months, especially as they return to work and to normal activities.
How do you sleep after a Microdiscectomy?
It is generally OK after back surgery to sleep in whatever position is most comfortable. Some prefer to sleep on one side or the other with a pillow between their knees and/or behind them to support the back.
What can you not do after a Microdiscectomy?
Do not do any running/jogging, vacuuming, weight lifting, sweeping/mopping, laundry, shoveling or raking, riding a lawn mower, wave runner or anything that might irritate your back until you have completely healed from your surgery. Do not drive for at least two weeks after surgery.
How should I sleep after Microdiscectomy?
What to expect after microdiscectomy surgery?
After the microdiscectomy, the pain will be reduced almost immediately, even though the complete healing process of the nerve can take several months. Other symptoms, such as numbness and muscle weakness, will also take longer to subside but the pain relief is almost instant.
What happens after a microdiscectomy?
The body starts the healing process almost immediately after surgery and continues to heal over the next several months. Patients often experience pain, stiffness and difficulty moving around after a microdiscectomy.
How is microdiscectomy surgery performed?
A microdiscectomy is performed through the back, so the patient lies face down on the operating table for the surgery. General anesthesia is used, and the procedure usually takes about one to two hours. A microdiscectomy is performed through a 1 to 1½-inch incision in the midline of the low back.
What to expect after a discectomy?
The recovery time after discectomy surgery differs from 1 to 4 weeks depending on the underlying illness dealt with and your general health. You may feel pain at the site of the laceration. The initial pain might not be totally relieved instantly after surgery.