Recovery

Recovery after lumbar decompression surgery will depend on your fitness and level of activity prior to surgery. This is why a course of physiotherapy before the operation may be recommended.

You'll be encouraged to walk and move around the day after surgery and it's likely you'll be discharged 1 to 4 days afterwards.

It will take about 4 to 6 weeks for you to reach your expected level of mobility and function (this will depend on the severity of your condition and symptoms before the operation).

When you wake up after lumbar decompression surgery, your back may feel sore and you'll probably be attached to 1 or more tubes.

These may include:

• a drip supplying fluids into a vein (intravenous drip), to make sure you don't get dehydrated
• a drain to take away any fluid from your wound
• a thin, flexible tube inserted into your bladder (urinary catheter), in case you have difficulty urinating
• a pump to deliver painkillers directly into your veins

The tubes are usually only attached for a short time after your operation.

Pain

Immediately after surgery, you'll have some pain in and around the area where the operation was carried out. You'll be given pain relief to ensure you're comfortable and to help you move. The original leg pain you had before surgery usually improves immediately, but you should tell the nurses and your doctor if it doesn't.

A very small number of people have difficulty urinating after the operation. This is usually temporary, but in rare cases complications, such as nerve damage, may cause the legs or bladder to stop working properly. It's important to tell your doctor and nurses immediately if you have problems.

It can take up to 6 weeks for the general pain and tiredness after your operation to disappear completely.

Stitches

You'll have stitches or staples to close any cuts or incisions made during your operation. Deep stitches beneath the skin will dissolve and don't need to be removed. If dissolvable stiches are used, they don't need to be removed.

Non-dissolvable stitches or staples will be removed 5 to 10 days after your operation. Before you leave hospital, you'll be given an appointment to have them removed.

Your stitches may be covered by a simple adhesive dressing, like a large plaster. Be careful not to get your dressing wet when you wash. After having your stitches removed, you won't need a dressing and will be able to bath and shower as normal.

Rehabilitation

Your medical team will want you to get up and moving about as soon as possible, usually from the day after the operation. This is because inactivity can increase your risk of developing a blood clot in the leg (DVT), and movement can speed up the recovery process.

After your operation, a physiotherapist will help you safely regain strength and movement. They'll teach you some simple exercises you can do at home to help your recovery.

Read more about physiotherapy.

Getting home

You'll usually be able to go home about 1 to 4 days after your operation. How long you need to stay in hospital will depend on the specific type of surgery you had and your general health.

When you get home, it's important to take things easy at first, gradually increasing your level of activity every day. Some help at home is usually needed for at least the first week after surgery.

Being active will speed up your recovery. Make sure you do the exercises recommended by your physiotherapist, and try not to sit or stand in the same position for more than 15-20 minutes at a time, because this can make you feel stiff and sore.

Walking is a good way to keep active, but you should avoid heavy lifting, awkward twisting and leaning when you do everyday tasks until you're feeling better.

You may be asked to return to hospital for one or more follow-up appointments in the weeks after your operation to check how you're doing.

Work

When you can go back to work will depend on how quickly you heal after surgery and the type of job you do.

Most people return to work after 4 to 6 weeks, if their job isn't too strenuous. If your job involves a lot of driving, lifting heavy items or other strenuous activities, you may need to be off work for up to 12 weeks.

Driving

Before starting to drive again, you should be free from the effects of any painkillers that may make you drowsy.

You should be comfortable in the driving position and be able to do an emergency stop without experiencing any pain (you can practise this without starting your car).

Most people feel ready to drive after 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the size of the operation.

Some insurance companies don't insure drivers for a number of weeks after surgery, so check what your policy says before you start to drive.

When to seek medical advice

Call the hospital where you had your operation, or your GP, for advice if:

• there's leaking fluid or redness at the site of your wound
• your stitches come out
• your dressing becomes soaked with blood
• you have a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
• you have increasing pain, numbness or weakness in your legs, back or buttocks
• you can't move your legs
• you can't pee or control your bladder
• you have a severe headache
• you experience a sudden shortness of breath (this could be a sign of pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, or other heart and lung problems)

Page last reviewed: Fri Jul 2021 Next review due: Wed Feb 2020