Introduction and aim. Discopathy is the most common form of degenerative disc disease. If conservative treatment does not help or the pain gets worse with symptoms of compression on the spinal nerve roots, surgery is indicated. The aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge in patients after discopathy surgery on self-care. Material and methods. The study included 78 patients of Neurosurgery after their discopathy surgery. The study employed a questionnaire method with a questionnaire of own design as a research tool. Results. Almost all respondents were operated for the first time. The vast majority received information about self-care from the medical staff, usually after surgery. Nearly half of them think they know how to avoid the recurrence of discopathy. The majority indicated the correct health behaviors in selected elements of the secondary disease prevention. General knowledge was significantly determined by the variable ‘type of work’ (p = 0.019) and ‘subjective assessment of knowledge about self-care’ (p < 0.0001). Education significantly affects having concerns and fear of physical activity after surgery (p < 0.001). No one denied his/her satisfaction with performed surgery. Conclusions. Respondents, despite the health education conducted at the Neurosurgery ward, continue to show deficiencies in health behaviors, compliance with which prevents recurrence of discopathy.

Key words: lumbar discopathy, surgery, self-care, health education.