Patients undergoing lumbar discectomy may experience a much longer recovery than expected, based on a new Portland-based Oregon Health & Science University study, according to Portland Business Journal. Neurosurgeon and assistant professor Khoi Than, MD, led the research.
The study analyzed 127 patients for three month post-surgery.
Here are four observations:
1. Dr. Than found lumbar discectomy recovery time averages about two months to three months, as opposed to the expected few weeks.
2. The study found those patients with jobs prior to surgery experienced shorter recovery times, and returned to work faster.
3. Patients older than 55 experienced slower recoveries than younger patients.
4. Dr. Than and his team plan to continue research with a national survey of 60,000 patients, called National Neurosurgery Quality and Outcomes Database.