Lumbar Microdiscectomy — / Discectomy

Axis Spine Center · Axis Spine Physical Therapy Team

Weight-Bearing

WBAT from POD 1; walking 1-2x/day starting at 10 min, progressing to 20 min

Key Restrictions

Lifting <15 lbs x 2 wks; no BLTs (bending/twisting) initially; no submerging incision; no lotion on incision; Silverlon dressing removed after 5 days; lumbar spine in neutral — avoid bending/twisting below knees; driving allowed when off narcotics and tolerating 15 min sitting (1-2 wks); notify surgeon if worsening radicular symptoms or progressive weakness

Timeline & Phases

3 phases: Phase 1 (0-2 wks, wound healing), Phase 2 (2-6 wks, strength training/OP PT), Phase 3 (6-8 wks, advanced strengthening); swimming/elliptical/outdoor bike at 6 wks; running/golf/basketball at 8-12 wks

Notes

Dermabond wound care instructions included; lumbar extension ROM focus (prone press-ups) 0-4 wks; aquatic PT starts at 2 wks; recumbent bike at 2 wks, upright at 4 wks; cupping for scar mobilization; neural mobilization as needed; UE strengthening with TA bracing; includes return-to-sport timelines

Surgeon / Author

Axis Spine Physical Therapy Team

Published

August 2021