From the Guidelines
Patients should be mobilized actively from the morning of the first postoperative day after endoscopic discectomy and encouraged to meet daily targets for mobilization. Although the provided study 1 focuses on guidelines for perioperative care for pancreaticoduodenectomy, its recommendation on early mobilization can be applied to postoperative care for endoscopic discectomy, as early movement is generally beneficial for reducing complications and improving recovery.
Key Considerations for Walking Distance
- Most patients can walk short distances immediately with minimal discomfort, gradually increasing their walking distance over the first week.
- By 1-2 weeks post-surgery, many patients can walk for 15-30 minutes at a time.
- Walking distance should increase progressively based on comfort level, with most patients returning to normal walking capacity within 4-6 weeks.
Factors Influencing Recovery and Walking
- The minimally invasive nature of endoscopic discectomy allows for quicker healing and mobility compared to traditional open surgery.
- Patients should listen to their bodies and not push through significant pain while walking.
- If pain increases substantially during activity, it's advisable to rest briefly before continuing.
- Physical therapy, which typically begins 1-2 weeks after surgery, can help optimize recovery and walking progression.
Postoperative Precautions
- Patients should avoid heavy lifting (anything over 5-10 pounds) and excessive bending or twisting for the first 4-6 weeks to allow proper healing, as recommended by general postoperative care principles, although not directly stated in the provided study 1.
From the Research
Postoperative Recovery
- The distance a patient can walk after endoscopic discectomy is not explicitly stated in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, the studies suggest that endoscopic discectomy can lead to significant improvements in pain relief and functional outcomes, allowing patients to return to their daily activities, including walking, sooner than traditional open discectomy methods 2, 4.
- A study by 4 reported that 95% of patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic discectomy were able to return to their previous occupation, implying a significant level of physical activity, including walking.
Functional Outcomes
- The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is a commonly used measure of functional outcome, with lower scores indicating better function 3.
- A study by 3 found that patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) showed significant improvements in ODI scores at 1 month postoperatively, which were maintained over the next 24 months.
- While the exact distance a patient can walk is not reported, the improvement in functional outcomes suggests that patients can walk and perform daily activities with less disability after endoscopic discectomy 3, 4.
Limitations
- The provided studies do not specifically address the question of how far a patient can walk after endoscopic discectomy 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Further research is needed to determine the exact distance a patient can walk after endoscopic discectomy and to establish clear guidelines for postoperative rehabilitation 2, 3, 4.