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Home Care Instructions
LUMBAR MICRODISCECTOMY
You are recovering from a lumbar microdiscectomy. Below are guidelines that your doctor requests that you
follow after you are discharged from the hospital.
PAIN MANAGEMENT
At first, you will be aware of pain and soreness directly related to your surgery. Soreness at and around your back
incision is normal and will gradually decrease. Your doctor will give you a prescription for oral pain medication.
Follow the directions on the bottle. If a refill is needed, please have your pharmacy call your doctor’s office for
each refill. Your doctor may decrease the strength of your medication as your discomfort and need for medication
decreases. (Refills are not processed on weekends)
It is okay to use an ice pack for pain control. Please be careful to only apply ice for short periods of time to
prevent tissue freezing and injury.
Please call your doctor’s office in the unlikely event that your postoperative pain suddenly increases or if you
develop any of the following symptoms: wound drainage, new weakness; loss of sensation to your legs and/or
back; arms (neck surgery only); or loss or change in bowel or bladder control.
DIET
Please resume your normal diet. Extra liquids, fruits and vegetables are encouraged to prevent constipation. A
high fiber diet is recommended, but it may be discouraged by your Primary Care Physican; please check with your
internist if you have constipation after discharge. Pain medication and lack of activity can lead to difficulty with
bowel movements. A healthy diet is the best way to manage this. Try to avoid repeated use of laxatives. Call
your doctor’s office if you have any questions.
Avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, etc.) as this could
interfere with your spinal fusion and your body’s ability to heal.
INFECTION
Infection is not expected after surgery, but it can occur. Keep your surgical dressing on as instructed. Once the
dressing is removed, it is important for you to look at your incision every day until your first office visit. The
incision should look pink and the edges should be together. If you have had back surgery before, special suture or
skin staples may have been used to close the skin layer. These should to be removed in the doctor’s office
approximately 10 days after your surgery and a special appointment should be made for you at the time of
discharge. Continue sponge baths until 7 days after surgery. You may then begin showering only. AVOID TUB
BATHS, WHIRLPOOLS, JACUZZIS, SWIMMING POOLS, ETC. for one month (unless your doctor instructs
otherwise)
Some swelling around the incision(s) or drain site can be normal. Fluid can accumulate under the skin, which can
be bothersome. This area of swelling should be watched daily. Over time, it should slowly decrease. If the
swelling worsens, or if the incision begins to drain, please call your doctor’s office. Also call if the incision
becomes “angry looking”, such as: very red, swollen and hot to the touch or if a fever greater than 101.0 by mouth
occurs. This may be a sign of infection and may need to be evaluated and treated right away. If you need to call
after office hours or on the weekend, your doctor’s answering service will provide instructions on how to reach
your doctor or his associate on call.
ACTIVITY
At first, you will limit yourself due to stiffness and soreness. After the first several weeks, however, you will
become more active. Therefore, you should be aware of the following to prevent injury and to assist with the
healing process:
1) Avoid twisting, bending forward from the waist or heavy lifting. Bending at the hips and knees into a hiphinge position is acceptable as long as your back remains straight. Your doctor will instruct you on the amount of
weight you may lift initially as well as later on.
2) Walking, stair climbing, riding as a passenger in a car or taking public transportation is permitted in most
cases. Driving is usually allowed after the first office visit with your doctor (approximately 2-4 weeks after
surgery). If you are taking much less pain medication and can function, call your doctor about driving sooner.
You may also be placed into a specialized Physical Therapy program to further increase your mobility.
3) RETURN TO WORK: This will vary for each patient. Your doctor will make this decision based on the
reason for surgery, the outcome of the surgery; the type and length of work required, etc. Return to work during
the muscle/soft tissue healing period will only be allowed if the patient can return with restrictions (generally no
lifting greater than 10-15 pounds and no repetitive bending or twisting from the waist and no prolonged sitting).
Check with your employer about returning to work with these restrictions.
SCAR CARE
Exposure of a healing incision to sunlight or tanning beds can be potentially harmful and bad sunburn may occur.
It is recommended to apply a sun block over the incision during the first year unless otherwise advised by a
doctor.
BRACE TREATMENT
Brace treatment after surgery may be needed for a short time. If ordered, your brace or corset will be made of a
lightweight material which is fitted, to your body’s contours. A Certified Orthotist will fit you and adjust your
brace in the hospital to ensure comfort after discharge. Your brace should be worn as instructed by your doctor.
A soft cotton undershirt should be worn under the brace to prevent pinching, rubbing or excessive perspiration.
Rubbing alcohol should be applied to your skin anywhere the brace is in contact with your body. This helps to
keep the skin dry. Lotions and powders should not be used in this area as these products may cause increased
moisture and skin breakdown.
After discharge, if further adjustments are required, please call your Orthotist for an appointment.
FOLLOW-UP
Follow-up is very important after any spinal surgery. Your cooperation in returning to see your doctor at the
listed times is appreciated. Your surgeon may require x-rays when you return to see him, based on how you feel.
The doctor will be able to update you on your activity allowances at each office visit. The follow-up schedule is
as follows: 1-2 weeks after surgery, followed by appointments 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. This may vary
based on your individual needs. If a problem occurs, please call your doctor’s office to determine if an office
appointment is necessary. If you have insurance that requires a referral, please remember to obtain one for
each office visit after your surgery.
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This instruction sheet has been written to give you useful information following posterior decompression or
microdiscectomy surgery. This is not a substitute for or in place of your doctor’s instructions. If you have been
advised differently based on your individual needs, please follow your doctor’s recommendations. If you have
any questions, please call your doctor’s office.
Patricia Kostial, R.N., B.S.N.
Clinical Nurse Coordinator
SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR SPINAL DISORDERS
4130 La Jolla Village Dr.; Suite 300
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 678-0610 / (858) 678-0007 fax
Revised 6/9/2003
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