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3 Key Factors To Consider Before Getting Spine Surgery
October 7, 2020
When your doctor first brings up spinal surgery, your first reaction might be to freeze.
You understand the importance of having a functional spine. After all, it’s how your brain communicates to the rest of your body.
But precisely because of that, you’re nervous. The thought of someone, even a doctor, working on your spine gives you the jitters.
Let’s put some of those worries at ease. Below, we’ll give you 3 key questions to ask yourself before getting spine surgery.
Keep reading to get your spine back to its best optimal state!
1. Have You Obtained an Accurate Diagnosis?
If you’re going in for spinal surgery, you want to know you’ve taken the best possible route for your health.
To have this, you need an accurate diagnosis.
Now, we don’t say this to put mistrust between you and your physician. If your doctor recommends spine surgery, you should give it serious consideration.
However, for surgeries involving major body parts such as the spine, it’s always best to get a second opinion. If you have several top specialists saying the same thing, you’ve got an accurate diagnosis.
If they come up with different answers, do more digging before agreeing to go under the knife.
2. What Are the Risks of Spine Surgery?
Every surgery comes with risks. Of course, these risks do not necessarily mean the surgery is not worth it, but you should be aware of them.
Talk about the risks with your physician. In particular, ask if you stand an increased likelihood of experiencing any of the risks due to your family or medical history.
If you are at considerable risk, weigh your options. Is it necessary to have the spinal surgery? What will happen if you don’t? Remember that it’s important to take care of your health, but you should always choose an option you are comfortable with.
Ask for your doctor’s input. Phrase it as, “If you were me, what would you do?” This will give you some personal insight into how a trained professional would handle being in your shoes.
3. Do You Have a Good Support System?
After you leave the operating table, recovering becomes the most crucial part of maintaining your health.
Yet, recovering from a spinal surgery often involves a lot of necessary care. For a while, you might not be able to do everything you used to be able to. You may need to rely on the help of friends and family members more than usual.
As such, it is good to plan ahead. Ask your doctor for specifics on what you will and won’t be able to do after surgery. If possible, ask someone to come stay with you for a time to help with aspects of your life you cannot handle on your own.
In addition, make sure you have enough saved so you can afford to take time off from work to recover.
Having Spinal Issues?
Spine surgery can give you back the life you want.
The spine plays an integral role in how our brains communicate with the rest of our bodies, and so your spinal health is important.
However, you don’t want to just rush into spine surgery unprepared.
If you’re having issues with your spine, we’re here to help. Dr. Andrew Moulton specializes in all kinds of spine care. Book an appointment today!