Question 1

how long does it take to recover from surgery on a herniated disk?

Accepted Answer

2-6weeks: Definition of recover vary leg pain improves within days muscular backache follows fo 6 weeks.Or longer.

Question 2

how long does it take to recover from herniated disk surgery on the neck?

Accepted Answer

Quick: Arm pain is gone usually within days. Sore throat and swallowing probs disappear in first week or two in most. Healing allows light activities for most in first week or two. Brace discontinued immediately if short fusion and plate/screws used; 6 weeks later if no plate. Medium activities after 6 weeks. I allow heavy activities 3-6 months postop including contact sports.

Question 3

besides surgery, how can you take care of a herniated disk to minimize pain?

Accepted Answer

Several things: Medication can help. Adjust the way you do things (avoiding positions and movements that aggravate your pain, but still stay as active and "normal" as possible. If simple measures fail, an injection may be helpful. Ask your provider for options.

Question 4

i have a l4-5 herniated disk with pinched nerve. pain is ok with gabapentin. but i do not want to take medicine for ever. should i go for surgery?

Accepted Answer

Nerve pain.: Gabapentin helps nerve pain. You may not need to take it forever even without surgery. Your pain may remit after a period of treatment with Gabapentin. This is not the reason for surgery.

Question 5

recovery time from surgery for herniated disk?

Accepted Answer

Well, that depends: It depends on the procedure, discectomy versus laminectomy versus fusion.  And it depends on what sort of shape you are in before the surgery, well-toned, overweight, couch potato, etc.  Usually we get back surgeries up and around walking in a matter of days with adequate pain control.  Please mobilize early, and then do physical therapy.
James n. Dillard, md.

Question 6

if i had surgery for a herniated disk, will it return?

Accepted Answer

Its possible: Disc fusion surgery should prevent return of symptoms at that spinal level. However, the forces that created the original problem can cause new problems at a different level later in your life. Maintain a healthy weight, lift with your legs and stretch before exercising to help with spinal health.

Question 7

when is surgery definitly needed for a herniated disk?

Accepted Answer

Not always: Surgery is best reserved for patients not responding to pain management on occasion, but is best supported when there is progressive spinal cord compression, leg or arm weakness, bladder control problems, or several sensory losses.

Question 8

ok to golf 3 week after herniated disk surgery?

Accepted Answer

Sure: Rotational forces such as in golf are not that great for the disc - biomechanically speaking. However, if you love golf, being out there and active very much beats sitting on a couch. Assuming that you had a neurosurgeon performing the disk surgery (minimally invasive, facet sparing) your nerves have been adequately decompressed and your spinal stability has not been compromised. Happy golfing!

Question 9

when is endoscopic surgery for a herniated disk possible ?

Accepted Answer

When it is probably: Going to get better with non operative treatment.  Ideally, you want to have at least 12 weeks of nonop care as 90% of herniated discs get better.  For discs that persistent especially if very far to the side of the spinal canal & not too big, then those would be candidate for this surgery- the same indications for a microdisectomy - leg pain worse than back pain c/w a disc herniation seen  on mri.

Question 10

can a herniated disk heal itself after 3 cortisone shots without surgery?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Cortisone injections (why 3?...There is no standard to do 3 shots.) can help the inflammatory process of the nerve roots irritated by the disc hernitaion.  These injections do not "heal" the disc, but can cause accelerated pain relief.  Disc herniations occasionally resorb (disintegrate) over time, but there is no guarantee that a disc is healed once the pain is gone, even from injection therapy.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

How long does it take to recover from surgery on a herniated disk

A member asked:

How long does it take to recover from surgery on a herniated disk?

A member asked:

How long does it take to recover from herniated disk surgery on the neck?

A member asked:

Besides surgery, how can you take care of a herniated disk to minimize pain?

A member asked:

I have a l4-5 herniated disk with pinched nerve. pain is ok with gabapentin. but i do not want to take medicine for ever. should i go for surgery?

A member asked:

Recovery time from surgery for herniated disk?

A member asked:

If i had surgery for a herniated disk, will it return?

A member asked:

When is surgery definitly needed for a herniated disk?

A member asked:

Ok to golf 3 week after herniated disk surgery?

A member asked:

When is endoscopic surgery for a herniated disk possible ?

A member asked:

Can a herniated disk heal itself after 3 cortisone shots without surgery?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?