How long does it take for a Microdiscectomy incision to heal?
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.
How long does it take for the nerve to heal after Microdiscectomy?
Most patients feel significant relief from leg pain immediately after microdiscectomy surgery. Weakness, numbness, and other neurological symptoms, however, may improve more gradually. It may take weeks or months for the nerve root to heal to the point at which numbness and weakness subside.
How do you care for an incision after a Microdiscectomy?
Incision care
Wash the area daily with warm, soapy water, and pat it dry. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the area with a gauze bandage if it weeps or rubs against clothing. Change the bandage every day.
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.
Why does my leg still hurt after Microdiscectomy?
Most patients notice that it is much improved but there is still some aching in the leg because the nerve has a “memory” for the pain and remains slightly irritable. This usually resolves within a matter of weeks. The numbness usually resolves over weeks or months as the nerve recovers.
Is Microdiscectomy a major surgery?
The First 24 Hours. Even though microdiscectomy recovery times are generally much faster than more invasive spinal surgeries, they’re still major procedures that involve general anesthetic. As such, they require careful oversight prior to medical personnel releasing you to return home.
How big is the incision for Microdiscectomy?
A microdiscectomy is performed through a 1 to 1½-inch incision in the midline of the low back.
Is a Microdiscectomy a major surgery?
The First 24 Hours
Even though microdiscectomy recovery times are generally much faster than more invasive spinal surgeries, they’re still major procedures that involve general anesthetic. As such, they require careful oversight prior to medical personnel releasing you to return home.
Why is my pain worse after Microdiscectomy?
During surgery, medications such as steroids are infused into the area to help reduce swelling. The medication eventually wears off but your body continues to heal itself. During this initial healing phase, you will notice quite a bit of inflammation which may result in increased pain.
How big is the incision for a discectomy?
In an open discectomy, a skin incision is made down the middle of your back over the affected vertebrae (Fig. 2). The length of the incision depends on how many discectomies will be performed. A single-level incision is about 1 to 2 inches long.