You can expect your back to feel stiff or sore after surgery. This pain should improve in the days after surgery. You may have relief from your symptoms right away, or you may get better over the next few days or weeks. In the weeks after your surgery, it may be hard to sit or stand in one position for a very long time, and an anti-inflammatory medication can be very helpful. Some other helpful tips include:

• Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover.
• Try to walk each day. Start by walking a little more than you did the day before. Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk.
• Avoid lifting anything that would make you strain. This may include heavy grocery bags and milk containers, a heavy briefcase or backpack, cat litter or dog food bags, a vacuum cleaner, or a child.
• Try to change your position every 30 minutes while you sit or stand. This will help decrease your back pain while you heal.
• Avoid strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight-lifting, or aerobic exercise, until Dr. Singh says it is okay.

Patients undergoing minimally invasive laminectomy typically experience a shorter recovery period due to reduced tissue damage. Dr. Kern Singh, a specialist in spine surgery with offices in Chicago, Naperville, and Oak Brook, creates individualized recovery plans to promote healing and restore mobility. Schedule an appointment today to discuss the recovery expectations following a minimally invasive laminectomy.