How long does it take to recover from L4 and L5 decompression surgery?

It will take about 4 to 6 weeks for you to reach your expected level of mobility and function (this will depend on the severity of your condition and symptoms before the operation). When you wake up after lumbar decompression surgery, your back may feel sore and you'll probably be attached to 1 or more tubes.

How serious is spinal decompression surgery?

Risks of lumbar decompression surgery

infection at the site of the operation, or in rare cases an infection elsewhere. a blood clot developing in one of your leg veins, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT); in rare cases, the clot can dislodge and travel to the lungs, causing a serious problem called a pulmonary ...

What to expect after L4 L5 back surgery?

What to Expect After L4-L5 Fusion? After L4-L5, you can expect to stay in the hospital for two to three days. Additionally, expect to experience stiffness and soreness in the lower back. Your doctor will likely prescribe pain medication to ease discomfort in the first few days or weeks after the procedure.

How far should I walk after decompression surgery?

Walking is the best activity you can do for the first 6 weeks after surgery. You should start out slowly and work up to walking 30 minutes at least twice a day.

How long does it take to recover from L4 L5 back surgery?

Your Recovery

It may take 4 to 6 weeks to get back to doing simple activities, such as light housework. It may take 6 months to a year for your back to get better completely. You may need to wear a back brace while your back heals. And your doctor may have you go to physiotherapy.

Top 10 Tips for Recovering Well After Spine Surgery

How successful is L4 and L5 surgery?

“It was an extremely large herniation of the L4–L5 disc, the one most commonly injured,” explains Dr. Anderer. The success rate for disc surgery is about 90 percent, but even so, he considers it only if symptoms persist for more than 6 weeks.

What can you not do after spinal decompression?

Walking is a good way to keep active, but you should avoid heavy lifting, awkward twisting and leaning when you do everyday tasks until you're feeling better. You may be asked to return to hospital for one or more follow-up appointments in the weeks after your operation to check how you're doing.

How do you sleep after decompression surgery?

Doctors recommend sleeping on your back or your side as you heal from spine surgery. Sleeping on your belly is generally not recommended because your spine is not in a neutral position for a prolonged period. Consider wearing satin pajamas to bed to help it make it easier for you to adjust your sleeping position.

What is the success rate of decompression surgery?

The goal is to relieve symptoms associated with pressure on the nerve root. The surgery has a relatively high success rate - about 90-95% - in providing relief of leg pain and/or buttock pain. Often, the pain relief is instant and patients wake up after the surgery feeling marked relief of their leg pain.

Do you wear a brace after spinal decompression surgery?

A Back Brace Helps with the Healing Process

When it comes to healing from this procedure, the spine has the ability to heal itself over time, as does any body part. However, wearing a brace will help with: Stabilization of the spine.

How do you wipe after back surgery?

While wiping, bend from the knees rather than at the hips. A long- handled device may help to reach all areas. 4. The use of pre-moistened, flushable wipes is strongly recommended.

How long does l4 l5 surgery take?

A traditional spinal fusion surgery with general anesthesia takes about four hours and requires a hospital stay of three to four days as well as IV painkillers.

Can you bend after l4 l5 Fusion?

Avoid bending at all after a lumbar fusion if possible, as bending or twisting can interfere with the way the fusion heals and even damage the work that was done.

What are the side effects of decompression surgery?

bleeding inside the spinal column (extradural spinal haematoma) leaking of spinal fluid (incidental durotomy) accidental damage to the blood vessels that supply the spinal cord with blood. accidental damage to the nerves when they're moved during surgery.

Can decompression make your back worse?

The risks associated with non-surgical decompression include worse pain in the treated area and accidental damage to the nerves. Also, with time, a weakened spine may cause a slipped disc.

What is the best treatment for spinal stenosis at L4 and L5?

The most common conventional treatments for spinal stenosis at L4 and L5 include: Physical therapy, which may involve strengthening and flexibility exercises, stabilization, joint mobilization, heat or ice therapy, and massage.

Will nerve pain go away after back surgery?

Nerve recovery can take a year or more after spinal surgery to return to baseline levels of nerve sensitivity. The nervous system requires thousands of repetitions and hours to make these changes. It's similar to the process of learning to play an instrument or developing a new skill.

How common is decompression surgery?

Decompression surgery is an increasingly common operation for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. Although good relief from leg pain is expected after surgery, long term results of pain relief and function are more uncertain.

How long are you in hospital after spinal decompression surgery?

While some patients are discharged on the day of their operation, most stay in the hospital for one to five days. You will be able to go home once you have good control of your pain and are able to walk, eat and use the restroom independently.

Is it better to lay down or sit after back surgery?

The right way to sleep after back surgery

The best position to sleep in after spine surgery is lying flat on your back, placing a pillow below your knees or lying sideways with a pillow between your bent knees.

Is it OK to sit in a recliner after back surgery?

It is okay to sit while eating and for half an hour at a time. Recliners are better than soft-backed chairs. Do not lift more than 10 pounds for the first 4 weeks after surgery. It is okay to climb stairs.

Can you walk after core decompression surgery?

After the operation, crutches are to be used for 6 to 12 weeks to prevent weight bearing at the hip joint until the femur bone heals completely. You will be able to resume your regular activities 3 months after the surgery.

How painful is spine decompression?

Due to the gentle nature of spinal decompression therapy most patients do not experience pain during a session and it isn't unheard of for patients to actually fall asleep while on the traction table.

Is spinal decompression permanent?

Decompression Therapy Can Help Prevent Spinal Surgery

Unfortunately, these injections may not offer permanent relief, so some patients fear that surgery may be their only long-term solution.

Are you awake for decompression surgery?

The operation is carried out under general anaesthetic, which means you'll be asleep during the procedure and won't feel any pain. The whole operation takes at least an hour, but it may take much longer, depending on its complexity. The exact level of decompression required will be determined using an X-ray.