Return to Work Guidelines Following Neurosurgical Procedures

Recovery time following surgical procedures is a consideration every practicing surgeon must deliberate upon throughout his or her career. The decision to restrict patients from returning to work or various activities encountered on a daily basis following an operation is dependent on many factors. Surgeons must take into account patient population, individual comorbid conditions, complexity and length of surgery, immediate postoperative course, and baseline functional abilities. Thus, returning to work and various activities, including physical activity, work-related activity, and recreational activity alike, following invasive procedures is individualized from patient to patient. Most spinal procedures are performed by neurosurgeons or orthopedic surgeons. This article suggests a framework to guide appropriate return to work and activity escalation time frames following various spinal procedures.