Patients are usually seen by the surgeon at two, six and ten weeks after surgery.
A daily walking program should begin as soon as possible after surgery. At first it may be limited to a short distance, but it should be the main form of therapy for the first 6 weeks.
During this time, anything weighing more than a gallon of milk should not be lifted. By the end of the second week, strength and endurance should be improving.

A formal physical therapy program may begin at 4-6 weeks, and should lead to a lifetime home exercise program to minimize the chances of recurrence.

Operative Treatment for patients with Back Pain Predominating

Surgery is the final option, and should be used only if all other treatments have failed over several months. The back pain is often due to degeneration of the disc itself rather than a compressed nerve. When back pain is the main symptom, the surgery most often recommended is a fusion. In this operation, the vertebrae are fused together to limit motion.