Your Questions About Spine Surgery Answered

Spinal surgery is a surgical procedure for removing tumors in the spine or spinal discs. Doctors also use it to repair defects such as scoliosis in your spinal column. It is a major operation that requires hospitalization to recover. Dhruv B. Pateder, MD, is a spinal surgeon in Reston, VA, who helps individuals get back on their feet through various interventions. Here are your questions about spine surgery answered.

What should one expect during surgery?

The specialist makes a small incision into the spinal column and removes the damaged spinal discs in spinal surgery. Thus, the doctor removes part of the vertebrae bone or the herniated disc material. Your specialist may recommend spinal surgery to treat a variety of conditions. For example, doctors can use this surgery to treat chronic back pain, neck pain, muscle spasms, and spinal cord compression. Therefore, the procedure helps relieve pressure on the spinal cord due to a ruptured disc, cysts, or tumors.

How long does the operation last?

Spinal surgery is a major operation since it involves removing defective tissues from the spine and creating more space for the nerve roots. It can last up to two hours under general anesthesia. In addition, the duration of the surgery may prolong depending on the condition and your health status. After the operation, you will be admitted to the hospital for recovery and close monitoring.

Are there risks and complications of the surgery?

After the surgery, there may be a risk of infection in the treatment area. However, your doctor prescribes medicine to prevent any infection and speed up the recovery. After the surgery, it is vital to keep away from strenuous exercises and tasks. You should also refrain from traveling for a few days after the operation or lifting heavy backs. However, you can engage in light workouts such as walking and eating a balanced diet. There is also the risk of the surgery failing to relieve the pain. However, the likelihood is very rare, and with modern medicine, there is documented success of spine surgery. Talk to your doctor if the pain fails to subside within a few days. The surgeon may recommend additional surgery if the pain persists.

What are the different types of spine surgery?

There are many types of spinal surgeries, and your doctor will explain each before the operation. Regardless of the type, the goal of the treatment is to ensure you recover from the pain. It also helps in improving your quality of life. Lumbar compression involves removing the part that is pressing on the nerves, and this helps in relieving pain. A cervical compression aims at removing a bone on the cervical spine. Others are cervical fusion, lumber, and disc replacement.

People with lower back pain can get relief by undergoing spine surgery. However, like all other medical procedures, your doctor first conducts a thorough medical examination to assess your suitability. The surgeon also evaluates your medical history to ensure there are no underlying medical conditions. If you are experiencing back pain, you can consult the specialists at Town Center Orthopaedic Associates for assessment and treatment.

Paul Petersen