The consultation is an important step, as it establishes whether there is an indication for neurosurgical treatment. This is when all the information (current symptoms, neurological clinical examination, recent radiological investigations) is brought together to form an overall picture and decide together whether a neurosurgical operation is justified.
Before the operation, a blood test, an electrocardiogram and possibly a chest X-ray will need to be carried out by your general practitioner. We will provide you with the necessary information.
Your follow-up care is provided in parallel by our specialised team, who can answer all your questions. Convalescence can be arranged after your surgery if needed, and home nursing can also be organised, if needed, before you leave the clinic.
As a rule, you will be admitted the day before the operation, at around 4 p.m., at Clinique La Colline (Hirslanden) — please report to the reception desk. Once in your room, you will be seen by the anaesthetist. Throughout your hospital stay, I will visit you.
Our dedicated physiotherapist at the clinic will help you from the first post-operative day with specific movements; after lumbar spine surgery, patients usually get up for the first time the day after the operation. Formal physiotherapy, however, only commences 6 weeks after surgery.
We will decide together on the day of discharge; as a rule, you should expect 4-5 days after a simple lumbar disc herniation. The dressing will need to be changed regularly at home; we can arrange for a home-care nurse if you wish.
The stitches are removed on the 10th post-operative day, at our practice.
Follow-up includes a visit for the removal of stitches 10 days after the operation, a visit at one month, then a visit at 3 months. After lumbar surgery, you should expect at least 4-6 weeks off work at home — while of course being able to live normally, without carrying heavy loads of more than 5 kg or practising sports that put strain on the spine.
Consultations are conducted in French, English or German. Our secretariat is available Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm.