Microdiscectomy recovery is a relatively quick process for the majority of patients who undergo the procedure. A patient will usually spend one night in the hospital immediately following the procedure and will then be released if there are no complications. Some doctors recommend resting the back for a period of several weeks, though technically, there have been no changes in the patient’s spine, and he or she can often return to normal activity the following day.
After surgery, the patient needs to remain in the hospital overnight in order to make sure that microdiscectomy recovery is underway. If everything is going well, the patient is released in the morning and is able to return to normal life right away. Studies indicate that resuming normal movement immediately does not adversely affect the patient’s chances of recovery. Despite this, there are some doctors who recommend that a patient not twist or bend for six weeks following the surgery. Patients may also be advised not to lift heavy objects for this same six week period.
Patients that do not show any complications following surgery can be assumed to be completely healed after about six weeks. It is likely, however, that the patient will feel better within a few days. For 90% to 95% of patients, microdiscectomy recovery is permanent. Occasionally, however, the affected disc may rupture again, which can require an additional surgery. A disc that has ruptured twice has a higher risk of rupturing again in the future.
Microdiscectomy is a surgical procedure used to repair a herniated disc in the spine. The surgery involves the removal of herniated material that causes pain and discomfort by pressing against a nerve or the spinal cord. Microdiscectomy involves a small incision and a microscope that is used to view the surgical process. Microdiscectomy recovery is quicker than recovery from a standard discectomy procedure because it does not cause as much trauma to the patient.
In most cases of a herniated disc, a doctor will wait and see if the condition improves on its own. The patient will usually show improvement in six to 12 weeks. After this period of time, it is unlikely that the condition will correct itself, and a doctor may recommend surgery. Performing surgery on an injury that is older than three to six months may decrease the effectiveness of the surgery, so doctors will usually choose to act quickly once they decide that the condition will not improve on its own.