Disc extrusion surgery can be helpful for relieving severe or debilitating pain that does not respond to conservative treatment. If you’re in this situation and are planning to proceed with a surgical procedure, you are encouraged to learn as much as you can beforehand. This can help you prepare for and ensure a safe and smooth recovery.

First and foremost, you should understand and accept that you are unlikely to experience immediate results from disc extrusion surgery. The rehabilitation process plays a key role in the final outcome of any surgical procedure. Therefore, it’s vital to ensure that you are fully prepared — both mentally and physically — for your recovery.

How to support your recovery

You should also be aware that various surgical techniques can be used for performing disc extrusion surgery. After a careful evaluation of a number of unique factors, your surgeon will determine the best approach for you. This is important to know because the surgical technique that will be used for your procedure will play a key role in the type of recovery you can expect. In general, if you have a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, you may be able recover within a few months. On the other hand, a full recovery from a traditional open spine procedure could take up to a year or longer.

Of course, your surgeon will provide a detailed and customized set of postoperative instructions for you to follow. In the meantime, here are some basic guidelines for supporting your recovery from disc extrusion surgery:

• Be as active as possible. Start right away with some short walks, and then gradually increase your activity level as guided by your surgeon. In addition to improving circulation to promote healing, exercise can help prevent a number of surgical complications, such as deep vein thrombosis, pneumonia and constipation.
• Drink plenty of water. A surgical incision is a wound, and effective hydration is a key component of wound healing. Without it, your incision won’t receive the oxygen and nutrients that are essential for proper healing.
• Eat a healthy diet. Your food choices and nutritional status can have a direct impact on your recovery. That’s because increased amounts of vitamins, minerals and protein are necessary to support the body’s healing process.
• Use medications as necessary. To help you manage your pain and get sufficient rest, take any prescribed medications as instructed by your surgeon.
• Maintain your follow-up schedule. See your surgeon at the recommended intervals, and contact his or her office right away if your pain significantly worsens or signs of infection appear, such as fever or redness at your surgical site.

USA Spine Care

If you have questions about the type of disc extrusion surgery that may be right for you, you can talk with the experts at USA Spine Care. Our surgeons perform minimally invasive spine procedures that are often the clinically appropriate first choice for treating disc extrusion when surgery is necessary, and provide many advantages over open neck or back surgery.^

To learn more about surgical treatment options for disc extrusion, contact USA Spine Care today.

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