How Long Will I Be Out Of Work With Laser Back Surgery

If you have been told by a doctor that you need surgery to treat your chronic back pain, or are considering seeking laser back surgery yourself, you may be concerned about the impact the procedure will have on your life, even as you know that it is the only way to alleviate your back pain. Despite the negative impact back pain has on productivity, most patients cannot afford to take of 4-6 weeks of work, as is required by open back surgery.

Fortunately, laser back surgery greatly reduces recovery time as compared to traditional open back surgery. Thanks to advances in surgical techniques, patients with chronic back pain no longer have to choose between treatment and income. Instead, it is possible for most people to return to work in one week after laser back surgery.

Timeline

How soon you can return to work and other normal activities depends on a variety of factors:

• Type of job - if you have a physically strenuous occupation, you will have more time away from work
• How extensive your surgery is - if you have more than one procedure done, or need treatment on more than one part of your spine, you will have a longer recovery time
• Your prior health - if you have other conditions in addition to your back pain, your body may recover more slowly

In general, you will be able to walk of the office and return home the same day. Within 24 hours, you will be able to drive again; due to the local anesthetic and sedative, you will not be able to drive home. Often, physical therapy will also start the day after surgery.

Within a week, most patients will be able to return to work. If you have a physically demanding job, the time off will be longer.

During the next 5-6 weeks, you will slowly build up to your normal activities, with the help of physical therapy. Within 6 weeks, most patients will return to their full range of physical activities, including weightlifting, jogging, and hiking. At this time, patients with physically demanding jobs will be able to return back to work.

In contrast, traditional spine surgery usually requires a 4-5 day hospital stay. Patients who undergo open back surgery cannot return to their normal job for 4-6 weeks in most cases; full recovery can take months, or as long as a year. This is because open back surgery requires an incision several inches long, and the doctor must peel away layers of muscle and cut away bone in order to reach the spine.

Minimizing Your Recovery Time

The most common cause of an extended recovery time is failure to make the appropriate lifestyle changes to help your body heal. Following your doctor's recommendations in the following ways will keep your downtime to a minimum:

• Take the full course of any antibiotics prescribed
• Take anti-inflammatory medication if it is prescribed
• Start physical therapy as soon as possible (often within the same week), and complete the full course of appointments
• Do the recommended home exercises, which will usually include walking
• Maintain good posture, and be careful not to sit or stand in one position for too long
• Do not overexert yourself; transition back to your normal activities gradually and with your doctor's guidance

For the most part, an extended recovery time is caused by a failure to follow these guidelines. Being proactive about your recovery and self-care will help you recover as quickly as possible.

While laser back surgery is minimally invasive and greatly reduces recovery time, even the least invasive surgery still comes with some downtime. For this and other reasons, surgery should only be considered after conservative treatments have failed. However, laser back surgery is an excellent options for patients whose pain cannot be treated conservatively, in large part because the recovery time is so reduced.

To learn more about whether laser back surgery is right for you, please call the Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery and Pain Center at 347-380-9138