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YOU are here : Home > Spinecare Topics > Options for Spine Treatments > Back Surgery: When is it Appropriate?
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Options for Spine Treatments
Back Surgery: When is it Appropriate?
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Back Surgery: When is it Appropriate?
The term elective surgery refers to those cases whereby surgery is not absolutely necessary and does not constitute an emergency intervention. Elective surgery is still considered to be medically necessary and it becomes the patient’s choice as to whether to proceed. Prior to making that choice, the patient should be informed of all reasonable non-surgical and surgical options. Spine surgery is generally performed to accomplish one or more of the following goals 1) decompress the nerve; 2) decompress the spinal cord; 3) stabilize an unstable painful joint, and; 4) reduce a severe or progressive deformity. One of most important factors and ensuring success rate and improving the potential for successful outcome is a proper and accurate preoperative diagnosis.
What is a Preoperative Workup?
The preoperative workup should be timely and accurate. Without an accurate diagnosis at the time of surgery, even the most skilled surgeon will come face-to-face with a less than acceptable outcome. The quote from Bernard Malamud is an appropriate metaphor for the results of poor surgical planning, “when your train is on the wrong track then every station you come to is the wrong station.� Many patients who seek surgery have numerous other health problems that could potentially complicate surgery or the post-operative period. The spine surgeon must take these other health problems under consideration otherwise the surgical outcome may be less than optimum.
Prior to surgery you will probably have an additional evaluation by your primary attending medial physician to determine whether you are healthy enough to undergo surgery and to look for any condition which may need to be treated or stabilized prior to surgery. The pre-operative testing usually includes an EKG and blood testing. The blood test will include your blood clotting factors and an assessment of your red and white blood cell count. Pre-operative diagnostic imaging tests may include one or more of the following: X-rays, myelography, computerized tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Before agreeing to back surgery obtain a second opinion from a qualified spine surgeon. Back and leg symptoms can represent unrelated issues that require an extensive work-up for diagnosis and treatment.
Recovery from Surgery
Recovery from spine surgery may take weeks to many months. You may continue to experience pain for some time. It is common to be referred into a physical therapy program for post surgical rehabilitation and strength training. Rehabilitation may include balance and gait retraining. Patients and surgeons should be aware that psychological and social factors play a considerable role on surgical outcome. To help prevent recurrent back and related problems, you will be taught good lifting techniques, postural habits and exercises which should be performed on a regular basis.
What is a Preoperative Workup?
The preoperative workup should be timely and accurate. Without an accurate diagnosis at the time of surgery, even the most skilled surgeon will come face-to-face with a less than acceptable outcome. The quote from Bernard Malamud is an appropriate metaphor for the results of poor surgical planning, “when your train is on the wrong track then every station you come to is the wrong station.� Many patients who seek surgery have numerous other health problems that could potentially complicate surgery or the post-operative period. The spine surgeon must take these other health problems under consideration otherwise the surgical outcome may be less than optimum.
Prior to surgery you will probably have an additional evaluation by your primary attending medial physician to determine whether you are healthy enough to undergo surgery and to look for any condition which may need to be treated or stabilized prior to surgery. The pre-operative testing usually includes an EKG and blood testing. The blood test will include your blood clotting factors and an assessment of your red and white blood cell count. Pre-operative diagnostic imaging tests may include one or more of the following: X-rays, myelography, computerized tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Before agreeing to back surgery obtain a second opinion from a qualified spine surgeon. Back and leg symptoms can represent unrelated issues that require an extensive work-up for diagnosis and treatment.
Recovery from Surgery
Recovery from spine surgery may take weeks to many months. You may continue to experience pain for some time. It is common to be referred into a physical therapy program for post surgical rehabilitation and strength training. Rehabilitation may include balance and gait retraining. Patients and surgeons should be aware that psychological and social factors play a considerable role on surgical outcome. To help prevent recurrent back and related problems, you will be taught good lifting techniques, postural habits and exercises which should be performed on a regular basis.
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