What to Expect With Back Surgery

The patient stands and holds on to the spine on a blurred background. Many Americans report back issues at some point in their lifetime. Some even say that they chronically struggle with back pain. 

Your quality of life suffers when you deal with constant back pain, as it makes everyday tasks torturous. 

When all other options have failed, surgical methods have proven to provide some relief to long-suffering patients.

Some stigmas make people fearful of undergoing a procedure on their back. People worry that they will be bed-ridden for months, lose mobility, and experience worsened pain.

While apprehension is understandable, it should not hold you back from experiencing the pain relief you deserve. Knowing what to expect before and after your procedure can provide you with peace of mind.

When is Back Surgery Necessary?

Having a troublesome back is debilitating, and sometimes pain medicine, injections, and other conservative management may not be enough to do the job. Also, if you are experiencing pain due to a herniated disk, bone overgrowth, or radiating pain to your other extremities, surgery might be worth considering.

What Type of Back Surgery is Right for You?

Your situation is unique and will require the type of back surgery deemed appropriate for your needs. After undergoing testing and speaking with an orthopedic surgeon, you will learn what surgery fits your situation the best.

Types of surgery include:

  • Cervical Spine Fusion
  • Fusion Lumber Microdiscectomy
  • Fusion Posterior Lumbar Microdiscectomy
  • and others

After undergoing testing and speaking with an orthopedic surgeon, you will learn what surgery fits your situation the best.

Before Your Procedure

You may experience some nervousness if you’re scheduled to undergo a back procedure. Preparing yourself for your recovery can be helpful.

Have family members or trusted friends be a part of the process. Prepare them by asking for help with meals, errands, and wound care for your incision site. Also, prepare yourself by making things in your home easy to reach. Place everyday items that you will need in places that will not require you to stretch, reach, twist, or bend.

All of these movements will be restricted after your procedure.

Surgery Day and Recovery

Don’t eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your surgery. On the morning of your procedure, brush your teeth as usual but don’t have breakfast.

Your procedure can take up to 4 hours, after which, you’ll go to the recovery room for monitoring.

You may be able to resume walking around your room for short periods a few hours after your surgery. You will experience soreness and discomfort at the incision site, but you should still move around with assistance.

After you’re discharged, make sure that you avoid straining yourself as much as possible. Also, remember that your recovery will be an ongoing process. It could take a few months for you to begin feeling like yourself.

Don’t get frustrated if you don’t see results right away. Stay patient.

If you are experiencing back pain and would like to examine your options, call our New York City office at 212-606-1004.

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