After Microdiscectomy Herniated Disc Surgery — No Time to Sit "Back" and Relax

SurgeryEndoscopic Spine SurgeryHerniated Discs

Endoscopic Spine Surgeon Dr. Kaixuan Liu Offers Tips to Speed the Recovery Process after a Microdiscectomy.

Recovering from surgery to correct a herniated spinal disc is no time to sit "back" and relax. So, says Kaixuan Liu, MD, PhD, medical director of the Atlantic Spine Center and a world-renowned endoscopic spine surgeon, who performs a minimally invasive procedure called an endoscopic microdiscectomy and advises his patients to stay mobile, get out and walk, to expedite microdiscectomy recovery and minimize the formation of scar tissue.

"Endoscopic microdiscectomy is the modern approach to repair herniated discs," Dr. Liu states. "Because the procedure is minimally invasive, it results in less tissue destruction and leaves fewer reasons to restrict a patient's activities following surgery and a quicker discectomy recovery."

He refers to a study, published July 2017 in the journal, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, which indicated that patients who did not limit their activities during the healing process actually returned to work sooner than those who adhered to specific restrictions.

Endoscopic microdiscectomy is usually performed in the lumbar (lower) region of the back after the failure of more conservative therapeutic measures, such as light exercise, medications, hot or cold compresses, physical therapy, spinal manipulation, and epidural injections, to relieve the nerve pain of a herniated disc, according to Dr. Liu.

The procedure involves a surgeon making small cuts in the patient's back and then, while peering through a lighted endoscope, carefully removing herniated tissue or portions of the offending bone protecting a nerve root.

Spinal discs are gel-filled capsules located between the spine's bony vertebrae. They prevent vertebrae from rubbing together and help maintain spine flexibility. Herniation can occur due to back injuries, undue spinal stress from heavy lifting or participation in sports, and even the normal aging process as the spinal discs dry out and become more brittle, forcing a disc's outer membrane to crack and its inner core material to ooze out.

A herniated disc may cause pressure on a nerve, resulting in intense pain in the buttocks and hip area and radiating pain, numbness, and weakness in the leg, a condition called sciatica.

"Research has shown that microdiscectomy has a success rate as high as 90 percent in alleviating nerve pressure and eliminating pain," Dr. Liu says. "Patients leave the hospital the same day or the day following the procedure and can begin microdiscectomy recovery immediately."

Recovery after Microdiscectomy herniated disc surgery

"Clinical studies indicate that patients who engage as soon as possible in stretching, conditioning exercises that help strengthen back muscles and who participate in low-impact, aerobic exercises like walking, biking or swimming actually return to their normal, daily activities more quickly," Dr. Liu says.

Generally, herniated disc surgery recovery is relatively quick, with a high success rate. Usually, the first signs of healing appear within the first 2-4 weeks after the procedure, and after 12 weeks, the patient should be able to return to everyday life. The pain and other symptoms are typically relieved in a couple of months. Unfortunately, this microdiscectomy recovery time depends on many factors, including the patient’s general health, the speed of tissue recovery, the success of the procedure, etc., so the actual herniated disc surgery recovery time can be longer.

Three days after surgery

Rest is crucial during the first days after the surgery. Your body naturally wants to rest during this period, as pain and fatigue are at their highest. Sleeping properly is highly recommended as it is key to rest and tissue recovery. If you have trouble falling asleep, your doctor can prescribe sleep-improving medications. But you can also learn some hygiene tips like avoiding using electronic devices with blue light before sleep, drinking caffeinated drinks after noon, etc.

Dr. Liu also suggests that patients continue the herniated disc surgery recovery process by walking short distances during the first couple weeks after surgery and gradually building endurance until they can walk two to three miles a day.

The first week after lumbar discectomy

Maintaining spinal mobility is key to the healing process. Still, Dr. Liu cautions that, during the first couple weeks following surgery, patients should avoid repeatedly bending or twisting, lifting anything heavier than five or six pounds, driving, or performing tasks like lawn mowing, sweeping, shoveling snow or dirt, doing the laundry, running, jogging or other activities that can overly tax back muscles.

However, "it's important that patients get "back in the game" during lumbar discectomy recovery as quickly as possible," Dr. Liu says.

Month after microdiscectomy

Dr. Liu offers the following lumbar discectomy recovery tips:

  • Don't be a "couch potato." Move around.
  • Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water.
  • Talk to a physical therapist about "gentle exercises" to perform during the early postoperative period. Exercise about a half-dozen times daily for six weeks or more after surgery.
  • Start taking short walks around the house or the yard; climb stairs if you can do so without pain.
  • Extend your walking distance gradually; engage in aerobic exercises like riding a stationary bicycle if you have access to one at home or a local fitness center and can do so without pain.
  • Resume driving when you can turn your head and look over your shoulder without pain.
  • Return to light work duties when you are able.

Permanent restrictions after microdiscectomy

There are not many permanent restrictions after a microdiscectomy. "The bottom line: use common sense—everything in moderation. The "no pain, no gain" adage does not apply," Dr. Liu says. "Do what's comfortable. If you try to work through the pain, you could be causing yourself more harm than good and risking recurrence of herniation." Usually, the restrictions after lumbar discectomy involve avoiding twisting the spine, especially while lifting heavy things.

Learn More and Watch Our Video on Microdiscectomy for Herniated Discs.