Hi, Usually, recovery from a discectomy procedure takes time (standard is six weeks) and as everyone is different it may vary as well. Most of the times, one may experience back and leg pain during the recovery period. However, essentially you should avoid prolonged sitting, lifting heavy objects, bending, twisting and excessive exertion for the first three weeks. It is not like that you restrict all activities but you should gradually increase your physical activities over this period. Additionally, common complication of a discectomy is that there is a possibility that another fragment of disc will herniate and may cause similar symptoms. Therefore, endoscopic microdiscectomy is appropriate in some specific situations, and you may check this with your treating neurologist. Hope this helps.
My first dr appt after surgery is tomorrow. Yes I do feel so stiff, and sore. I hope he takes me out of this collar tomorrow, I cant stand it, it is too hot. It has been 5 weeks now. :(
Many surgeons do not use the neck collar. I think it can make it worse not using your neck because it will get stiffer. I never used one. However, at your 3 week appt. your surgeon should have ordered PT for your neck. It takes time for your neck to adjust to the new discs and pressure is put on the discs above and below that site . I had shoulder and neck pain after the surgery and PT worked it out. I was much better at the 2.5 month mark. It usually takes about 3 months.