What To Expect During Your Herniated Disc Surgery Recovery Time

Herniated discs can cause chronic pain, muscle weakness, numbness, and tingling that may not resolve with conservative treatments. If non-surgical treatments are ineffective, then it may be time to look at surgical options for treatment. Despite the fact that surgery can have such a positive impact on quality of life, some patients are reluctant to undergo treatment because of the potential length of the recovery time. Below, we'll explore what to expect for herniated disc surgery recovery time.

Traditional Spine Surgery

For decades, the only option for the surgical treatment of herniated discs was open spine surgery. Open spine surgery is an effective form of treatment, but it is also invasive. Patients receive this type of treatment in the hospital, where they remain for several days following surgery. The surgeon must create a large incision along the spine, and may need to perform major procedures like removing a small amount of vertebral bone.

The herniated disc surgery recovery time for open spine surgery is significant. For the first few days after surgery, pain management and wound care are intensive tasks. Patients often miss several weeks of work, or longer for physically strenuous jobs and activities. It often takes months for patients to make a full recovery. In addition, the risk of certain side effects such as infection is higher when open spine surgery is used.

Laser Spine Surgery

Patients who undergo laser spine surgery enjoy a much shorter herniated disc surgery recovery time. Laser spine surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that can be used to treat most herniate discs. The procedure is performed in an outpatient setting. Instead of creating a large incision along the spine, the doctor inserts a laser probe and a camera through small incision. The camera allows the surgeon to see the spine without opening it up, while the laser is used to dissolve the affected portion of the disc. Patients can expect the following recovery trajectory:

• Return home the same day
  
• Experience symptom relief the same day
  
• Be rather restricted in activities for several days 
• Start physical therapy, if recommended, soon after surgery
  
• Return to desk jobs in about a week 
• Return to physically strenuous jobs in about 6 weeks
  
• Achieve a full recovery in about 6 weeks
  

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