Dear creekman,
Welcome to the forum. I just wanted to share my experience here. After my first micro-discectomy at L5-S1, my neurosurgeon told me that I should be okay and that I would not need physical therapy. He told me that the best therapy was to walk then he just basically said no lifting heavy... However, he followed that by saying that I would be okay performing nursing duties in an ER. Well, he was absolutely wrong!!!
I strongly feel that I should have had physical therapy and shown exercises for strengthening. Also, prevention measures regarding possible herniation.
Nonetheless, I believed him and was back at work within 6 weeks post-op. Then 18 months later, I had another herniation at the level above at L4-5.
Trying to recover from the second injury was h#ll and I was in chronic pain for 3 years before having a 2 level ADR.
If there is anyway possible, I would highly recommend discussing physical therapy with your docs and see what the response is......
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