{
  "name": "Steady recovery claims — Lumbar microdiscectomy",
  "procedure": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
  "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
  "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
  "attribution": "Steady — https://growsteady.me/recovery-data. Free to quote and reuse with a link back.",
  "schemaUrl": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/claims.json",
  "disclaimer": "Published cohort data. Not medical advice, not a prediction for an individual, and not a substitute for a surgeon or clinician.",
  "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08",
  "count": 17,
  "claims": [
    {
      "id": "lumbar-microdiscectomy:pain:week-0",
      "procedure": "lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "procedureName": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
      "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
      "kind": "pain",
      "topic": "pain",
      "question": "What is typical pain at week 0 after Lumbar microdiscectomy?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "At week 0 after Lumbar microdiscectomy, typical reported pain is 6.7 out of 10, within a reported band of 6 to 7.5. This describes a group of patients, not one person.",
      "weekStart": 0,
      "weekEnd": 0,
      "basis": "measured",
      "pain": {
        "low": 6,
        "typical": 6.7,
        "high": 7.5,
        "scale": "converted to 0-10 from Leg (radicular) pain; VAS 0-100 normalized to 0-10 (Peul baseline ~67)"
      },
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2427077/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "lumbar-microdiscectomy:pain:week-8",
      "procedure": "lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "procedureName": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
      "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
      "kind": "pain",
      "topic": "pain",
      "question": "What is typical pain at week 8 after Lumbar microdiscectomy?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "At week 8 after Lumbar microdiscectomy, typical reported pain is 1 out of 10, within a reported band of 0.5 to 2.3. This describes a group of patients, not one person.",
      "weekStart": 8,
      "weekEnd": 8,
      "basis": "measured",
      "pain": {
        "low": 0.5,
        "typical": 1,
        "high": 2.3,
        "scale": "converted to 0-10 from Leg pain; VAS/100 -> 0-10 (Peul week 8, 10.2/100)"
      },
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2427077/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "lumbar-microdiscectomy:pain:week-26",
      "procedure": "lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "procedureName": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
      "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
      "kind": "pain",
      "topic": "pain",
      "question": "What is typical pain at week 26 after Lumbar microdiscectomy?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "At week 26 after Lumbar microdiscectomy, typical reported pain is 0.8 out of 10, within a reported band of 0.6 to 1.8. This describes a group of patients, not one person.",
      "weekStart": 26,
      "weekEnd": 26,
      "basis": "measured",
      "pain": {
        "low": 0.6,
        "typical": 0.8,
        "high": 1.8,
        "scale": "converted to 0-10 from Leg pain; VAS/100 -> 0-10 (Peul week 26, 8.4/100)"
      },
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2427077/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "lumbar-microdiscectomy:pain:week-52",
      "procedure": "lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "procedureName": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
      "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
      "kind": "pain",
      "topic": "pain",
      "question": "What is typical pain at week 52 after Lumbar microdiscectomy?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "At week 52 after Lumbar microdiscectomy, typical reported pain is 1.1 out of 10, within a reported band of 0.2 to 6.4. This describes a group of patients, not one person.",
      "weekStart": 52,
      "weekEnd": 52,
      "basis": "measured",
      "pain": {
        "low": 0.2,
        "typical": 1.1,
        "high": 6.4,
        "scale": "converted to 0-10 from Leg pain; VAS/100 -> 0-10 (Peul 11/100; wide high band reflects the ~25% poor-responder tail, CSORN NRS ~6.4)"
      },
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2427077/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "lumbar-microdiscectomy:milestone:return-to-driving",
      "procedure": "lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "procedureName": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
      "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Return to driving\" typical after Lumbar microdiscectomy?",
      "title": "Return to driving",
      "answer": "After Lumbar microdiscectomy, \"Return to driving\" is typically reached around week 1.5. Reported range: 1-2 weeks; off narcotics, can tolerate sitting. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 1.5,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://www.axisspinecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LUMBAR-MICRODISCECTOMY-PHYSICAL-THERAPY-POST-OP-PROTOCOL.pdf",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "lumbar-microdiscectomy:milestone:walking-program-build-to-20-30-min",
      "procedure": "lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "procedureName": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
      "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Walking program (build to 20-30 min)\" typical after Lumbar microdiscectomy?",
      "title": "Walking program (build to 20-30 min)",
      "answer": "After Lumbar microdiscectomy, \"Walking program (build to 20-30 min)\" is typically reached around week 2. Reported range: 0-6 weeks, progressive. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 2,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://www.axisspinecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LUMBAR-MICRODISCECTOMY-PHYSICAL-THERAPY-POST-OP-PROTOCOL.pdf",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "lumbar-microdiscectomy:milestone:return-to-work-any-role-pooled",
      "procedure": "lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "procedureName": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
      "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Return to work (any role, pooled)\" typical after Lumbar microdiscectomy?",
      "title": "Return to work (any role, pooled)",
      "answer": "After Lumbar microdiscectomy, \"Return to work (any role, pooled)\" is typically reached around week 5. Reported range: About 3.9-5.7 weeks; job-dependent. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 5,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39831367/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "lumbar-microdiscectomy:milestone:lifting-restrictions-lifted",
      "procedure": "lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "procedureName": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
      "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Lifting restrictions lifted\" typical after Lumbar microdiscectomy?",
      "title": "Lifting restrictions lifted",
      "answer": "After Lumbar microdiscectomy, \"Lifting restrictions lifted\" is typically reached around week 6. Reported range: 6-8 weeks. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 6,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://www.axisspinecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LUMBAR-MICRODISCECTOMY-PHYSICAL-THERAPY-POST-OP-PROTOCOL.pdf",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "lumbar-microdiscectomy:milestone:return-to-running-sport",
      "procedure": "lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "procedureName": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
      "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Return to running / sport\" typical after Lumbar microdiscectomy?",
      "title": "Return to running / sport",
      "answer": "After Lumbar microdiscectomy, \"Return to running / sport\" is typically reached around week 10. Reported range: 8-12 weeks, criteria-based. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 10,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://www.axisspinecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LUMBAR-MICRODISCECTOMY-PHYSICAL-THERAPY-POST-OP-PROTOCOL.pdf",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "lumbar-microdiscectomy:milestone:full-return-to-original-role-work",
      "procedure": "lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "procedureName": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
      "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Full return to original-role work\" typical after Lumbar microdiscectomy?",
      "title": "Full return to original-role work",
      "answer": "After Lumbar microdiscectomy, \"Full return to original-role work\" is typically reached around week 16. Reported range: Median 14-16 weeks; 85% by 26 weeks. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 16,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12594137/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "lumbar-microdiscectomy:phase:week-0-2",
      "procedure": "lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "procedureName": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
      "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after Lumbar microdiscectomy?",
      "title": "Walking is the program",
      "answer": "Early rehab is a walking program — starting around 10 minutes and building toward 20-30. Driving returns at 1-2 weeks, once off narcotics and able to sit 15+ minutes.",
      "weekStart": 0,
      "weekEnd": 2,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://www.axisspinecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LUMBAR-MICRODISCECTOMY-PHYSICAL-THERAPY-POST-OP-PROTOCOL.pdf",
      "sourceNote": "Spine-center PT protocol",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "lumbar-microdiscectomy:phase:week-5-8",
      "procedure": "lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "procedureName": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
      "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after Lumbar microdiscectomy?",
      "title": "Lifting restrictions lift",
      "answer": "Restrictions phase out at weeks 6-8 — lifting progresses from ~15 lb until released to full activity without restrictions.",
      "weekStart": 5,
      "weekEnd": 8,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://www.axisspinecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LUMBAR-MICRODISCECTOMY-PHYSICAL-THERAPY-POST-OP-PROTOCOL.pdf",
      "sourceNote": "Spine-center PT protocol",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "lumbar-microdiscectomy:phase:week-8-12",
      "procedure": "lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "procedureName": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
      "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after Lumbar microdiscectomy?",
      "title": "Running and sport, weeks 8-12",
      "answer": "Running, plyometrics, and return to sport are protocolled at 8 to 12 weeks, criteria-based.",
      "weekStart": 8,
      "weekEnd": 12,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://www.axisspinecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LUMBAR-MICRODISCECTOMY-PHYSICAL-THERAPY-POST-OP-PROTOCOL.pdf",
      "sourceNote": "Spine-center PT protocol",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "lumbar-microdiscectomy:prevalence:absent",
      "procedure": "lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "procedureName": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
      "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
      "kind": "gap",
      "topic": "prevalence",
      "question": "How many people still have this after Lumbar microdiscectomy?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "Steady has not sourced published data on how many people still have symptoms after Lumbar microdiscectomy. This records what our source review has found as of 2026-06-08 — it is not a statement that the question is unstudied.",
      "weekStart": null,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "absent",
      "pain": null,
      "source": null,
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "lumbar-microdiscectomy:setback:absent",
      "procedure": "lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "procedureName": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
      "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
      "kind": "gap",
      "topic": "setback",
      "question": "Is it normal for pain to get worse after Lumbar microdiscectomy?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "Steady has not sourced published data on pain that rises before it falls after Lumbar microdiscectomy. This records what our source review has found as of 2026-06-08 — it is not a statement that the question is unstudied.",
      "weekStart": null,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "absent",
      "pain": null,
      "source": null,
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "lumbar-microdiscectomy:odds:absent",
      "procedure": "lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "procedureName": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
      "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
      "kind": "gap",
      "topic": "odds",
      "question": "How likely is this milestone by now after Lumbar microdiscectomy?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "Steady has not sourced published data on the odds of hitting a milestone by a given week after Lumbar microdiscectomy. This records what our source review has found as of 2026-06-08 — it is not a statement that the question is unstudied.",
      "weekStart": null,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "absent",
      "pain": null,
      "source": null,
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    },
    {
      "id": "lumbar-microdiscectomy:pattern:absent",
      "procedure": "lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "procedureName": "Lumbar microdiscectomy",
      "bodyRegion": "lower_back",
      "kind": "gap",
      "topic": "pattern",
      "question": "What does the pain feel like after Lumbar microdiscectomy?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "Steady has not sourced published data on what the pain feels like after Lumbar microdiscectomy. This records what our source review has found as of 2026-06-08 — it is not a statement that the question is unstudied.",
      "weekStart": null,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "absent",
      "pain": null,
      "source": null,
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/lumbar-microdiscectomy",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-08"
    }
  ]
}