Microdisectomy

[steph87]

Hi guys,

I was wondering if anyone could refer me to some information re: microdisectomys and recovery times and rehab guidelines.

I have a patient who is 2 weeks post op and has not done anything, he has been laying in bed for 2 weeks due to pain and fear of movement.

Some guidelines or timeframes would be great

thanks

[Judith Mollet]

Found this by googling:
Healing faster with exercise
Early mobilization and exercise may help patients heal sooner, as the pre-operative pain has usually caused patients to limit their motion, and limited motion is a common cause of pain. In addition to an early exercise program of stretching, strengthening and conditioning, return to normal daily activity may also help improve the secondary soft tissue component of the pain after microdiscectomy back surgery.

Walking exercise after microdiscectomy spine surgery is very gentle on the back, and a postoperative walking program with a goal of walking about 3 miles a day is advisable. Typically, patients will be advised to start out walking a short distance and gradually work up to a distance of a few miles, and to let pain be their guide. Applying ice and/or taking an NSAID (e.g. Tylenol) after walking will help alleviate the pain and discomfort sometimes associated with an increase in activity after back surgery.
Return to work after microdiscectomy back surgery is based both on how quickly the patient feels better and on what type of work the patient does. Many surgeons do not restrict post-operative activity but advise patients to return to all their normal activities in a gradual fashion and let pain be their guide.

For those microdiscectomy back surgery patients who have worker’s compensation insurance and need specific guidelines prior to returning to work, spine surgeons will often let them return to modified duty 7 to 10 days after a microdiscectomy and to full duty after 2 to 3 weeks, depending on their required duties
Many patients feel better with exercise
Again, many spine surgeons feel that early return to normal activity is safe and does not lead to an increased probability of a recurrent disc herniation in the early postoperative period. Many patients actually feel better sooner if they return to their normal level of functioning as soon as possible after microdiscectomy back surgery.

More Resources in the Exercise Center Article written By:
Theodore B. Goldstein, MD
July 31, 2000
And from my point of view:
Someone has done the operation on this patient and you should contact the surgeon involved to find out what his post op expectations and wishes are. What did the patient get for his own pre-op information if at all? Check for red flags or maybe more important yellow flags. Check his pre-op situation. Pain and fear are very individual factors, time frames and guidlines are OK for reference but maybe you need to look at the whole guy and his fear of pain carefully. If you are newly qualified and not so sure, ask other more experienced team members for advice.