Surgery and plastic How long does it take to recover from a bulging disc surgery?
Most people can return to their usual activities around 4 weeks after herniated disc surgery. People who follow a rehabilitation program after surgery may experience a shorter recovery time and better mobility.
How successful is back surgery for bulging disc?
Herniated disk surgery is often very effective, and it works faster than other treatments. You should start to see an improvement in symptoms like pain, weakness, and numbness within a few weeks after surgery.
Should you have surgery for a bulging disc?
Your doctor might recommend surgery as an option for your herniated disc if: Your symptoms have lasted at least 6 weeks and make it hard to do your normal activities, and other treatments haven’t helped. You need to get better quickly because of your job or to get back to your other activities as soon as possible.
What percentage of herniated discs require surgery?
When & How to Seek Medical Care
Fortunately, the majority of herniated discs do not require surgery. With time, the symptoms of sciatica/radiculopathy improve in approximately 9 out of 10 people.
How painful is a bulging disc?
Most commonly, bulging discs create pressure points on nearby nerves which create a variety of sensations. Evidence of a bulging disc may range from mild tingling and numbness to moderate or severe pain, depending on the severity. In most cases, when a bulging disc has reached this stage it is near or at herniation.
What causes a bulging disc to flare up?
Smith: As we age, our discs deteriorate and bulge downward, so bulging discs are usually caused by age-related degeneration. Because it is considered degenerative, there is usually a progressive, gradual onset of symptoms. It can cause pain in the buttocks, legs, or back. It can also affect your ability to walk.
Will my bulging disc ever heal?
Usually a herniated disc will heal on its own over time. Be patient, and keep following your treatment plan. If your symptoms don’t get better in a few months, you may want to talk to your doctor about surgery.
Can a bulging disc get worse?
This causes the disc to bulge outward, which is where the condition gets its name. Bulging discs are less likely to cause pain than herniated discs because they generally do not protrude far enough to press on a nerve. However, a bulging disc is often progresses into full-blown herniated disc over time.
What are the symptoms of a bulging disc in your lower back?
Symptoms
- Arm or leg pain. If your herniated disk is in your lower back, you’ll typically feel the most pain in your buttocks, thigh and calf. …
- Numbness or tingling. People who have a herniated disk often have radiating numbness or tingling in the body part served by the affected nerves.
- Weakness.
Can you get paralyzed from a herniated disc?
With a herniated disc, the capsule cracks or breaks, and the nucleus squeezes out. This can irritate the spinal cord or nearby nerves, causing weakness and numbness in the arms or legs. A severely herniated disc can cause paralysis.
What happens if a bulging disc goes untreated?
An untreated, severe slipped disc can lead to permanent nerve damage. In very rare cases, a slipped disc can cut off nerve impulses to the cauda equina nerves in your lower back and legs. If this occurs, you may lose bowel or bladder control. Another long-term complication is known as saddle anesthesia.
How long do you stay in the hospital after herniated disc surgery?
Most people can return home on the day of surgery. If laminotomy—a procedure to remove part of a vertebra—or spinal fusion is performed in the lumbar spine in addition to discectomy, surgery may take longer and require that you stay in the hospital for one or two days for observation as you heal.
What activities should you avoid with a herniated disc?
Everyday Activities to Avoid with Herniated Disc
- Sitting too much. Sitting puts more stress on your spinal discs, especially when slouching forward in a seat. …
- Doing laundry. …
- Vacuuming. …
- Feeding a pet. …
- Strenuous exercise. …
- Shoveling snow or gardening. …
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