Spinal Stenosis Surgery After Weighing the Risks

spinal stenosis

As a last resort after all the conservative treatments like bulging disc treatments are over and nothing works anymore for back pain, the doctor will recommend spinal stenosis surgery. While the thought of invasive procedures is enough to put the fear of God in any patient, the fact that it's the only option left calls for a little exploration into what happens before any surgery takes place.

Again, spinal stenosis surgery is only done when the doctor has no other choices left. The doctor will definitely put the sufferer through all the rigamarole of alternative medicine like chiropractic treatments and acupuncture while monitoring lifestyle changes at the same time. If pain medications are already at their maximum dosages and what is left is risking addiction, then and only then will surgery be suggested. Remember, the doctor wants to ease the patient's suffering just as much as the patient does and that'swhat spinal stenosis surgery is going to treat.

Before the surgery, it's 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 should be put through a slew of tests to accurately locate the damaged vertebrae. Since there are a number of causes of stenosis like 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 he undergoes the surgery? Situations like there being little or no improvement, injuring nerves or the spine itself, or worse, paralysis, are all discussed and weighed.

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

Fourth, is the sufferer in a good physiological state? If the patient is advanced in age or has bad health, the surgeon may well opt for another procedure, especially if it puts the patient's life at risk. However, if the patient is otherwise healthy, then choices like anesthetics will be discussed.

Spinal stenosis surgery is a major procedure and recovery is definitely not swift. In fact, you may wake up feeling like you've been hit by a car and wondering what made you say yes to the procedure in the first place. But recover you will, with the help of physical therapy, care, and a healthier lifestyle, you'll soon be pain-free. And isn't that exactly what you wanted, a spinal stenosis surgery that will end all that pain?