Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] I was diagnosed yesterday with a herniated lumbar intervertebral disc at the hospital and want to know what is the recovery time. I had a cat scan and Dr didn t explain clearly to me but I was on 2 narcotics nurses gave me for pain when he was trying to explain..joe
[|AI|]  I read your question carefully, and I understand your concern. It is difficult to give a precise answer to that question without more info. Herniated disks can be of different grades. If the disc is herniated meaning displaced and producing symptoms due to compression of nerve roots it won't go away just like that, it will remain there. If there is improvement that is due to the subsiding of the inflammation at the site which might be adding to the compression. Certain times though if there is marked compression surgery might be needed. So recovery times may vary. You can feel better in a couple of weeks as inflammation subsides, improve more slowly over several months with pain treatment, physical therapy, local spine injections or need surgery at times. I hope things work out for the best.