Spinal stenosis surgery after weighing the risks

As a last resort, after all conservative treatments, such as bulging disc treatments, are finished and nothing works for your back pain anymore, your doctor will recommend spinal stenosis surgery. While the idea of ​​invasive procedures is enough to put the fear of God in any patient, the fact that it is the only option left requires a little exploration of what goes on before any surgery is performed.

Again, spinal stenosis surgery is only done when the doctor has no other options left. The doctor will definitely put the patient through the whole mess of alternative medicine, such as chiropractic treatments and acupuncture, while monitoring lifestyle changes at the same time. If the pain medications are already at their maximum doses and the risk of addiction remains, then and only then will surgery be suggested. Remember, the doctor wants to relieve the patient’s suffering as much as the patient and that is what spinal stenosis surgery is going to treat.

Before surgery, it is important to discuss some procedures of the surgery with the surgeon. The first question that needs to be answered is where the spine is affected. You must undergo a series of tests to accurately locate the damaged vertebrae. Since there are a number of causes of stenosis, such as genetic defects, bone spurs, aging, or herniated discs, the surgeon will be better able to choose a more viable procedure to use.

Second, what are the risks to the patient if they have the surgery? Situations such as little or no improvement, damage to the nerves or the spine itself, or worse, paralysis, are discussed and weighed.

Third, how much damage has already been done? If the spinal injury is already extensive, spinal stenosis surgery may involve touching the areas that are most damaged and possibly leaving other areas that are less damaged.

Fourth, is the patient in good physiological condition? If the patient is elderly or in poor health, the surgeon may well choose another procedure, especially if it puts the patient’s life at risk. However, if the patient is in good health, options such as anesthetics will be discussed.

Spinal stenosis surgery is a major procedure and recovery is definitely not a quick one. In fact, he may wake up feeling like he’s been hit by a car and wonder what made him say yes to the procedure in the first place. But he will recover, with the help of physical therapy, care and a healthier lifestyle, he will soon be pain free. And isn’t that exactly what you wanted, spinal stenosis surgery to take away all that pain?