On the first post-operative day, the wound dressing is changed and the drainage tube is removed. Sutures will be removed on the tenth day after the surgery by your general practitioner.

Following a lumbar disc herniation surgery, patients are advised to get out of bed and walk as soon as a few hours after the procedure. On the first and second post-operative days, you may already do all early rehabilitation exercises: of course under the supervision of a qualified physiotherapist. You will also receive all the aftercare instructions you need. Once at home, the patient is advised to walk and after another month to ride a bike and swim. Above all, the patient should perform exercises to strengthen the muscles of the back and abdominal muscles. Three months after the surgery, we recommend spa treatment.

Lumbar disc herniation is a relatively safe but complex procedure, because a high amount of caution is needed so as not to damage any nerves. The risk is reduced by employing a surgical microscope and a reliable surgical technique. Directly after the surgery, you may experience minor pain in the lower back, which will wear off in a few days. Some patients report tingling and numbness of the leg, especially if this has already been the case before the surgery. Such problems will resolve themselves after a couple of weeks, but may also remain permanent to some extent. Many patients have difficulty sitting or standing for longer periods of time during the first post-operative months; however, walking and exercising do them good. These problems also go away with time.

Post-operative complications are possible, yet very uncommon, affecting less than 1% of patients. Some of the complications are inflammation, purulence or bleeding of the incision wound, and dural tear (cerebrospinal fluid leak). The latter results from nerve-membrane damage during the surgery. If there are any complications, you should make an appointment with your surgeon immediately. The possibility of recurring disc herniation lies at about 20%.