What can I expect after a Microdiscectomy?
After a microdiscectomy, you may experience local soreness at the incision for 5 to 7 days, usually requiring a light pain medication in pill form. There is usually a dressing in the area of the incision for 3 to 5 days. Sometimes paper strips (Steri-Strips®) stay on the skin for about one week. Physical therapy is often initiated after the first week following surgery and continues for a few weeks. Pain from the pinched nerve caused by the disc that was removed is generally decreased immediately after surgery but not resolved fully for several weeks or months.
