While the Endoscopic Discectomy procedure is frequently performed on an outpatient basis, your physician may recommend an overnight hospital stay. Some patients experience lower-back muscle spasms that may last a few days following the procedure. This pain can be relieved with muscle relaxants and pain medication, if necessary.

Most patients can resume normal activities and return to work that is not physically exerting within 1 to 4 days. Patients commonly have the procedure on Friday and go back to work on Monday. Little, if any, postoperative medication is required for most patients.

However, it is important for you to realize that you have undergone a procedure and that you should not participate in active competitive sports, heavy lifting or strenuous exercises until you have been released by the physician to do so, (usually within two to six weeks).