Deciding to take the leap and get back surgery is a significant choice. It is important to know when it might be necessary, and what options are available to you or your family member.
Here is a guide to help you decide if back surgery is right for you or your loved one:
- Ongoing Pain: If you have tried different non-surgical treatments like medications, injections, or even physical therapy, and your back is still in pain or even getting worse, it might be time to consider getting back surgery. Having persistent pain that does not improve with these methods could indicate that surgery might be necessary.
- Symptoms: If you experience different symptoms like weakness, loss of function of legs and back, or numbness, contact a physician for further evaluation. These symptoms could be signs of many conditions requiring surgical correction.
- Daily Life Impact: If your back pain affects your ability to do your everyday activities or work, and non-surgical treatments have not provided lasting relief, surgery could help restore your quality of life.
- See a Doctor: Always consult a back surgeon who can assess your back condition through tests, imaging, and physical examinations. They will help guide you on whether surgery is the best option and will discuss the potential benefits and risks involved.
What Are My Options?
- Spinal Fusion: This surgery joins two or more vertebrae together to stabilize the spine and reduce your pain. This can eliminate the pain caused by the movement between the vertebrae.
- Discectomy: This surgery involves removing a part of a disc that is pressing on a nerve, which in turn can help relieve your back pain and improve mobility.
- Artificial Disc Replacement: This involves replacing a damaged disc with an artificial one to maintain spine movement and reduce pain.
- Laminectomy: This procedure involves removing a portion of the vertebrae to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. It is most often used to treat spinal stenosis.
Deciding to have back surgery is a big decision that should be made with careful consideration and professional help. You can discuss all available options with one of our doctors here at NASAMRI to help determine the best approach for your specific condition.
