What should you know about the first week after microdiscectomy?

The incision and lower back may feel sore, while leg pain caused by nerve irritation may improve at a different pace. Some tingling or numbness can take time to settle. Change position regularly, and use the movement limits given by your surgical team rather than testing what your back can tolerate. A microdiscectomy removes disc material pressing on a nerve, often in the setting of a herniated disc or sciatica, but healing continues after the pressure is relieved.

Take several brief walks on level ground and increase them only as advised. Keep the wound clean and dry according to your discharge instructions, and take prescribed medicines exactly as directed. Avoid heavy lifting, twisting, high-impact exercise, and long uninterrupted sitting unless your surgeon has cleared them. Do not drive while taking sedating medicine or until you can brake and move safely. Physiotherapy may be introduced later when the team considers it suitable.

Contact your surgical team urgently for increasing leg weakness, new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the saddle area, severe or rapidly worsening pain, wound drainage, spreading redness, or fever. Seek emergency care for sudden major weakness, inability to pass urine, or severe breathing or chest symptoms.

Ask when you may shower, drive, work, lift, and begin formal rehabilitation. Clarify how to manage pain, what wound changes are expected, and which return of leg symptoms should prompt an immediate call. Bring a list of all medicines and any new numbness or weakness.