Overview

This information explains what to expect 0 to 6 weeks after lumbar spine decompression, a discectomy or both.

• Lumbar decompression surgery is used to treat compressed nerves in the lower (lumbar) spine.
• A discectomy is surgery to remove a damaged part of a disc in the spine.

Everyone's recovery is different. The timescales mentioned in this information are suggestions only. If you need to spend a little longer following the guidance for the 0 to 6 weeks stage of recovery, this is fine.

It's important to listen to your body and what it can do. Your physiotherapist and other healthcare professionals will support you.

Leaving hospital

When you're ready to leave hospital, it's important that you take the necessary steps to help your recovery. Make sure that you know:

• how many times a day you need to take your medicines
• how to get a repeat prescription
• who to contact if your pain is not being well controlled
• who to contact if you have side effects from your medicines
• who to contact if you have a question about your recovery
• when your follow-up appointment will be

Getting in and out of bed

A physiotherapist will show you how to get in and out of bed using the log-roll technique. They will teach you this technique on the day of your surgery or the next day.

For the next 4 weeks, it's important that you continue to use this technique to get in and out of bed. This will:

• feel more comfortable
• minimise strain through your lumbar spine
• use much less energy, which is helpful during the early stages of your recovery

How to log roll to get into bed

1. Sit on the edge of the bed.
2. Lean sideways onto the bed, using your arm to support you.
3. Move your feet up onto the bed.

How to log roll to get out of bed

1. Roll onto your side.
2. Move your feet over the edge of the bed.
3. Use your elbow on the bed to push up and sit on the edge of the bed.
4. Stand up from the bed.

Recommendations after surgery

This section has guidance for the early stages of your recovery from lumbar spine decompression, a discectomy or both.

Staying active

In the early stages of your recovery, it's important to stay active. This might lead to some discomfort.

If you have more discomfort, this does not mean that you're causing any extra strain on your spine. The spine is stable after surgery and can support day-to-day activities.

To stay active, we recommend gently increasing the amount of walking you do each day.

Lifting and carrying

For up to 6 weeks, we recommend that you lift objects no heavier than a half-full kettle.

Your spine is stable after surgery, but lifting heavy objects can cause discomfort. 

You will either be referred to:

• the musculoskeletal physiotherapy service at Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals
• your local musculoskeletal physiotherapy department

You need to see a physiotherapist 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. They can give you more advice about lifting and carrying.

Washing and bathing

Here are some tips on washing and bathing after your surgery:

Wound care

Do not remove your wound dressing, unless it accidentally gets soaking wet.

When you leave hospital, we'll give you replacement dressings. You need to contact a GP to arrange an appointment for a wound review. You must take a replacement dressing with you. Your nurse will give you more information about this when you leave hospital.

Housework, shopping and cooking

After surgery, you might find that you need some help from family and friends at first to do housework, shopping and cooking. If you do not have this type of support, you could think about ordering your shopping online.

Heavy housework, such as changing beds and washing windows, will have to wait until at least 6 weeks after your surgery. You might feel more physically capable at that time.

It's important to listen to your body and get help where you can. You might find that you can manage making a light dinner for the first week. By the second week, you might be able to make a dinner and help with the washing up. It depends on what you feel you can do.

Signs and symptoms to be aware of