Medical Health Encyclopedia

Spinal surgery - lumbar


InjuryDiseasesNutritionPoison
SymptomsSurgeryTestSpecial Topic
Herniated lumbar disk
Herniated lumbar disk
Vertebra, lumbar (low back)
Vertebra, lumbar (low back)
Vertebra, thoracic (mid back)
Vertebra, thoracic (mid back)
Overview Risks Recovery Prevention
Alternative Names

Lumbar spinal surgery


Expectations after surgery

The outcome depends on the source of the problem or the extent of the injury but most patients do very well after surgery.


Convalescence

How long you must stay in the hospital depends on the type of spinal surgery performed. Some people only say overnight, while others must stay in much longer.

You will be encouraged to walk the first or second day after surgery to reduce the risk of blood clots (deep venous thrombosis).

Complete recovery takes about 5 weeks. Heavy work is not recommended until several months after surgery or not at all.



Review Date: 09/21/2006
Reviewed By: Jeffrey Kauffman, MD, Sacramento Knee and Sports Medicine, Sacramento, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).




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