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Giakas et al. Art Int Surg 2024;4:233-46 https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/ais.2024.24 Page 239

Immediate postoperative period (days to weeks):
- Hospital stay: Most patients stay in the hospital for a short period, usually a day or two, after lumbar
decompression surgery.
- Pain management: Pain and discomfort are common after surgery. Pain medication and other methods
are used to manage pain.
- Mobility: Patients are encouraged to start walking and moving around shortly after surgery to prevent
complications like blood clots.

First two months:
- Gradual increase in activity: Patients can gradually increase their activity level under the guidance of their
healthcare provider.
- Physical therapy: Physical therapy may be recommended to help improve strength, flexibility, and overall
mobility.
- Return to work: Depending on the type of work, patients may be able to return to work within several
weeks to a few months, but this varies.

Long-term:
- Full recovery: It can take up to a year or more to fully recover and achieve the maximum benefits of the
surgery.
- Activity and lifestyle: Patients are often able to return to their normal activities and routines, though some
modifications may be necessary to prevent future issues.

Attending 1 Score: 2
Attending 2 Score: 4

Analysis: Attendings differed in their opinion of the adequacy of Chat GPT’s response to this question. It
was acknowledged that this response was a good overview of a recovery timeline after PLD, while noting
that it might mislead patients by not mentioning that many patients can be discharged on the day of
surgery . Another deficiency was the response’s lack of specific information regarding patient activities
[30]
postoperatively, which is one of the main concerns of patients considering surgery. Additionally, the
response was seen as vague regarding return to work and potential restrictions. Lastly, the full recovery
timeline was perceived to be inaccurate, as many patients return to full functionality well before a year after
[31]
PLD .
6. How will lumbar decompression surgery affect my range of motion?
Lumbar decompression surgery can have varying effects on your range of motion depending on the specific
procedure performed, the extent of the decompression, and individual factors. Here is a general overview of
how lumbar decompression surgery might affect your range of motion:

(1) Minimally invasive approaches: Many minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgeries aim to
minimize disruption to surrounding tissues and muscles. As a result, these procedures can potentially lead
to less alteration in your range of motion compared to traditional open surgeries.
(2) Traditional open surgery: Traditional open lumbar decompression surgery might involve larger
incisions and more tissue disruption. There might be some impact on the flexibility and range of motion of
the spine in the immediate postoperative period.
(3) Microdiscectomy: If your surgery is focused on removing a herniated disc or portion of a disc, the
impact on range of motion might be minimal.