Making the Decision to Have Spine Surgeon in Nagpur
Making the decision Spine Surgeon in Nagpur whether or not to have back or neck surgery can be stressful. It basically comes down to weighing the risks and benefits to you of having surgery vs. not having surgery. doctor is most capable of helping you through that process. Read on to learn some things to consider and talk about with doctor.
Have You Tried All Your Options?
The treatment options available to you, including surgery, depend on the origin of your back pain. For example, back pain related to muscles may require a different approach than back pain from a disc problem. In most cases, people can manage chronic back pain with conservative treatments. This includes rest, physical therapy, back bracing, and various types of medicines. If you’ve tried these treatments and they haven’t helped, surgery may be your next step.
How Likely Is Surgery to Help You?
There are a variety of Spine Surgeon in Nagpur. Different back and neck problems respond to different surgeries. And some respond better than others. Ask doctor about the likelihood of successfully treating your problem with surgery. Find out how many times your doctor has performed the surgery Spine Surgeon in Nagpur and what the results were. Ask if doctor has outcomes data to share. Don’t feel like you’re asking too many questions. This is an important decision and you need a full understanding of the likely outcome.
Know the Risks
As with all surgeries, spinal surgery by Spine Surgeon in Nagpur has risks and possible complications. The general risks of any surgery include reactions to anesthesia, bleeding, blood clots, and infections. But you also need to know about the specific risks of the spine surgery you are considering. You should understand the complications that could happen and if any of them could lead to more surgeries in the future. You should also understand what could happen if the surgery doesn’t help you.
On the other hand, you should also talk to doctor about the risks of not having Spine Surgeon in Nagpur. Think about your quality of life if pain continues or you end up permanently disabled. Consider whether your back or spine condition interferes with your life. Have you given up activities you used to enjoy? Does pain or disability make it difficult or impossible to complete activities of daily living, such as bathing or cooking? The answers to questions like these can help you decide.
Learn About the Recovery Process
Recovering from spine surgery can be a challenge and take several months. Generally, younger people tend to bounce back quicker. But there is no hard rule about age. Talk with your doctor about your general health and whether your body can handle it. Find out how long an average recovery is for your specific surgery. And whether physical therapy or another rehabilitation program is necessary. You need to understand your full commitment beforehand.
Get a Second Opinion
A second opinion is not about questioning first doctor. It is a valuable tool to help you gather as much information as possible about your situation. A second opinion can help you feel more confident about your treatment decision. Your doctor should encourage a second opinion, especially if you are having trouble making a decision. Ultimately, the final decision is yours and you should feel good about it. It will help you face surgery with confidence and a positive attitude.
When You’re in the Spine Surgeon Hospital in Nagpur
You may have had one of these surgeries:
- Diskectomy — surgery to remove all or part of your disk
- Foraminotomy — surgery to widen the opening in your back where nerve roots leave your spinal column
- Laminectomy — surgery to remove the lamina, two small bones that make up a vertebra, or bone spurs in your back, to take pressure off your spinal nerves or spinal column
- Spinal fusion — the fusing of two bones together in your back to correct problems in your spine
What to Expect at Home
Recovery after diskectomy is usually quick.
After a diskectomy or foraminotomy, you may still feel pain, numbness, or weakness along the path of the nerve that was under pressure. These symptoms should get better in a few weeks.
Recovery after laminectomy and fusion surgery is longer. You will not be able to return to activities as quickly. It takes at least 3 to 4 months after surgery for bones to heal well, and healing may continue for at least a year.
If you had spinal fusion, you will probably be off work for 4 to 6 weeks if you are young and healthy and your job is not very strenuous. It may take 4 to 6 months for older people with more extensive surgery to get back to work.
Length of recovery also depends on how bad your condition was before surgery.
Wound Care
Your bandages (or tape) may fall off within 7 to 10 days. If not, you may remove them yourself if your surgeon says it’s OK.
You may feel numbness or pain around your incision, and it may look a little red. Check it every day to see if it:
- Is more red, swollen, or draining extra fluid
- Feels warm
- Begins to open up
If any of these occur, call your surgeon.
Check with your surgeon about when you can shower again. You may be told the following:
- Make sure your bathroom is safe.
- Keep the incision dry for the first 5 to 7 days.
- The first time you shower, have someone help you.
- Cover the incision with plastic wrap.
- DO NOT allow water from the shower head to spray the incision.
DO NOT smoke or use tobacco products after spine surgery. Avoiding tobacco is even more important if you had a fusion or graft. Smoking and using tobacco products slows the healing process.
Activity
You will need to change how you do some things. Try not to sit for longer than 20 or 30 minutes at one time. Sleep in any position that does not cause back pain. Your surgeon will tell you when you can resume sex.
You may be fitted for a back brace or corset to help support your back:
- Wear the brace when you are sitting or walking.
- You do not need to wear the brace when you are sitting on the side of the bed for a short time or use the bathroom at night.
DO NOT bend at the waist. Instead, bend your knees and squat down to pick up something. DO NOT lift or carry anything heavier than around 10 pounds or 4.5 kilograms (about 1 gallon or 4 liters of milk). This means you should not lift a laundry basket, grocery bags, or small children. You should also avoid lifting something above your head until your fusion heals.
Other activity:
- Take only short walks for the first 2 weeks after surgery. After that, you may slowly increase how far you walk.
- You may go up or down stairs once a day for the first 1 or 2 weeks, if it does not cause much pain or discomfort.
- DO NOT start swimming, golfing, running, or other more strenuous activities until you see your doctor. You should also avoid vacuuming and more strenuous household cleaning.
Spine Surgeon in Nagpur may prescribe physical therapy so that you learn how to move and do activities in a way that prevents pain and keeps your back in a safe position. These may include how to:
- Get out of bed or up from a chair safely
- Get dressed and undressed
- Keep your back safe during other activities, including lifting and carrying items
- Do exercises that strengthen your back muscles to keep your back stable and safe
Your surgeon and physical therapist can help you decide whether or when you can return to your previous job.
Riding or driving in a car:
- DO NOT drive for the first 2 weeks after surgery. After 2 weeks, you may take short trips only if Spine Surgeon in Nagpur says it’s OK.
- Travel only for short distances as a passenger in a car. If you have a long ride home from the hospital, stop every 30 to 45 minutes to stretch a bit.
Pain Management
Spine Surgeon in Nagpur will give you a prescription for pain medicines. Get it filled when you go home so you have it available. Take the medicine before the pain becomes very bad. If you will be doing an activity, take the medicine about half an hour before you start.