How long does neurosurgery recovery take?

For a straightforward lumbar microdiscectomy, most patients are home the next day, back to office work in two weeks, and back to physical work or gym at six weeks.

For a cervical anterior discectomy and fusion (ACDF), expect one night in hospital, two to three weeks off work, and a soft collar for comfort in the first couple of weeks.

For a craniotomy — whether for a tumour, aneurysm or subdural — plan for two to four nights in hospital, two to six weeks at home, and a graded return to full activity over three months. Driving is usually restricted for at least four weeks and longer if there have been seizures.

For a lumbar fusion, the incision heals in three weeks but the bone takes three to six months to fuse. Light activity is fine early on; heavy lifting and impact sport must wait.

Across all of these, the number one predictor of good recovery is you: not smoking, moving daily, eating well and following the physiotherapy plan. I will give you specific milestones at your first post-operative visit.