Patient Education: Diseases Conditions Treatments & Procedures
Microdiscectomy
Post-Treatment Care
Important information for your care after Microdisectomy
How to care for your wound:
- You will have a light dressing g on your back. Keep this dressing clean and dry for 48 hours. It is normal to have a small amount of bloody drainage on the dressing. The dressing may be reinforced with additional gauze.
- After 72 hours, the dressing may be removed. You may have small steri strip tapes beneath the dressing. Leave these steri strips and keep incision dry. You have dissolvable sutures.
- You may shower, but keep incision dry by covering it and avoid direct water on the incision for 10 days.
- Do not bathe until 14 days after your surgery.
- The steri strips will naturally peel off with showering and bathing.
- You are encouraged to walk immediately following your surgery.
- You may lie on your back or in any position comfortable to you.
- Take your pain medication as directed. This medication may cause constipation. Drink plenty of water. Eating fruits and vegetables may help to avoid constipation. A mild laxative may be necessary.
- You must make a check up appointment at your doctor’s office for 4- 6 weeks after surgery. Call to schedule this shortly after discharge from hospital.
What should you expect following lumbar microdiscotomy?
- Pain in the back is normal
- Leg pain should be improved.
- If there was weakness in the leg, then slow recovery may be seen.
- If there was numbness in the leg, then slow recovery may be seen.
- It is common to have mild recurrences of leg pain over the first six weeks. Rest for a day or two.
What should you NOT expect following lumbar microdiscotomy?
- Fever greater than 38 degrees C. or the incision becomes red and inflamed.
- Clear discharge from the incision.
- Headaches and nausea when sitting or standing which improve with lying.
- Excessive pain that is NOT relieved by the prescribed pain pills.
- Numbness in the rectal and genital region.
