Fewer Risks

• Endoscopic laser spine surgery has fewer risks or complications because you receive no general anesthesia and you have only a small incision that can be covered with a small bandage.
  
  

Hospital Stay

• Many people who have endoscopic laser spine surgery can go home the day of the surgery. In contrast, traditional spinal surgery usually requires a hospital stay of four or five days.
  
  

Physical Therapy

• You typically begin physical therapy the day after endoscopic surgery and receive home instructions and exercises to speed your recovery. According to the Spine Institute of San Diego, walking is the best exercise after surgery.
  
  

Caution

• When returning to normal activities, it's normal to have some discomfort, but pain is a signal to slow down and rest.
  
  

Considerations

• The Spine Institute of San Diego notes that recovery time from endoscopic spine surgery depends on your physical condition, the extent of the problem treated and the complexity of the surgery.