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If further hospital or nursing care is needed, suitable arrangements will need to be made. Any remaining symptoms are very important in determining what happens next.

Neurological deficits
These refer to disturbances of function and affect the parts of the body supplied by the spinal cord or nerves below the affected level in the spine.They may include disturbance of feeling, movement, coordination,  or of control of pelvic functions. These include proper control of the bladder and the bowels and sexual function. Since the spinal cord and nerves, like the brain, recover slowly, major paralysis may also recover very gradually over several weeks or months, even if compression of the spinal cord or nerves has been completely relieved.The severity of the compression is also important. When it is very severe and particularly when it is also very prolonged, recovery is less likely.Whenever there is some function remaining, the outlook for useful improvement is better. Physiotherapy is important to improve movement if there is weakness or a lack of co-ordination.

Return to normal activities
This is usually determined by two factors.The first is persisting disability such as incomplete control of bladder or bowel function, which can lead to accidents.The second factor is spinal instability, which is a weakness of the supporting structures of the spine, allowing abnormal movement to take place.This could further damage the spinal cord or nerves and may require an external brace or surgical implants, which are inserted during an operation. An external brace is useful where there is uncertainty about the effectiveness of an implant, for example when the bones have been weakened by disease so that they provide insufficient foundation for implanted metal supports.

Some specific activities are considered below:

Flying
Flying should not be a problem except with persisting major neurological disturbances. Paralysis may make the practicalities of getting on and off an aeroplane difficult. Furthermore, moving from the seat, e.g. to the toilet, may also be extremely frustrating in the confined space of an aircraft. Incomplete control of the bowels may be a problem and if there is any difficulty with bladder control, a catheter may be necessary to prevent accidents.

Sexual intercourse
This is safe, but pregnancy is best avoided during neurological recovery, as it can place considerable additional strain on the back and muscles.

Driving
The usual regulations apply, in other words, proper control of the arms and legs in order to drive safely and the ability to move the neck/shoulders sufficiently in order to see around the car. Persisting major neurological disturbance in the lower limbs may require vehicle modifications, for example to hand controls.The use of an automatic car is safe, if there is isolated weakness of the left leg. If there is any disability or if in doubt, contact the DVLA (see Other organisations that may be able to help).

Return to work
This will depend on the type of work, the nature of the tumour and the presence of any persisting disability. It is best arranged on an individual basis after treatment has been completed. An occupational therapist may be able to help with adaptations to the work and home environments, in the case of long-term persisting disability.

Fatigue
There is often a feeling of tiredness and even depression after any major illness, operation or radiotherapy. It tends to pass after some weeks.

Sport
Body contact sports are probably best avoided even after excellent neurological recovery.Any operation or disease in the spine is likely to have caused at least some weakness of the spinal column.