After surgery, you will be encouraged to get out of bed and walk as soon as the numbness wears off. As you recover, you can slowly resume exercise and other activities.

Here are some other things to think about:

• You may not be comfortable sitting at first. But sitting will feel more comfortable over time.
• Walk as often as you can for the first several weeks. Getting up often to walk around will help lower the risk that too much scar tissue will form.
• Many people can go back to work and their daily routine soon after surgery. In some cases, your doctor may suggest a rehabilitation program. This may include physiotherapy and home exercises.
• If you work in an office, you may go back to work in a week or two. If your job requires physical labour (such as lifting or operating machinery that vibrates) you may be able to go back to work 4 to 8 weeks after surgery.

Surgery is done to decrease pain and allow you to regain normal movement and function.

You and your doctor may consider surgery if:

• You have very bad leg pain, numbness, or weakness that keeps you from being able to do your daily activities.
• Your leg symptoms do not get better after at least 6 weeks of non-surgical treatment.
• Results of a physical examination show that you have weakness, loss of motion, or abnormal feeling that is likely to get better after surgery.

Surgery is an emergency if you have cauda equina syndrome. Signs include:

• New loss of bowel or bladder control.
• New weakness in the legs (usually both legs).
• New numbness or tingling in the buttocks, genital area, or legs (usually both legs).

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