Back pain is becoming a common complaint due to a sedentary lifestyle, bad posture, and lack of physical activities. When it comes to ailments related to the spine, many people are skeptical about adopting surgery and keep delaying it.
With technological advancements, the results of treating spine disorders have improved significantly over time. Here, we bust some of the common myths about spine surgeries to ensure that you feel free to discuss any concerns of lower back pain or other spine-related problems with your physician.
Myth 1: All Spine Surgeries are major surgeries
There is a usual perception about spine surgeries being major surgeries which is not always the case. With the advancements in brain and spine surgeries, several spine surgeries nowadays are minimally invasive and have a lesser recovery period. Due to smaller and fewer incisions, the risks related to infections or post-surgical complications are controlled significantly.
Some of the spine problems that can be treated through a minimally invasive surgery are:
- Spinal infections
- Herniated discs
- Spinal deformities
- Degenerative disc disease
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Vertebral compression fractures
- Spinal instability
What are some common Minimally invasive spine surgeries?
Lumbar Discectomy and Lumbar Fusion are some of the common Minimally invasive spine surgeries.
Lumbar Discectomy is used to treat a herniated disk in the lower back that often leads to severe pain in the legs. This procedure is executed through small incisions placed through the back of the neck to remove only the damaged disks.
Lumbar Fusion is performed from the back, the sides of the abdomen to remove the damaged disk and place a bone graft in the disk space to provide support and improve the likelihood of healing.
How long are you in hospital after spinal surgery?
Minimally invasive spine surgeries decrease the amount of time spent in the hospital. Although the duration of hospital stay depends on the type of the surgery, it is usually around 2 to 3 days.
Myth 2: Spine surgeries have a long and painful recovery period
Any surgery will be followed by mild to moderate pain as a part of the recovery process. However, with the advancements in spine surgery techniques, new methods have to lead to faster recovery and a better quality of life.
Since minimally invasive methods do not disrupt muscles and soft tissues, the chances of developing pain are lower. However, some of the side effects can be discomfort, tingling sensations, chills, and fever.
In the recovery phase, you might experience mild pain while performing day-to-day activities depending on your posture and general physical conditions. Doctors often suggest physical therapy for post-operative care and pain management to track the progress of the recovery.
What is the recovery period of spine surgery?
The recovery period depends on multiple factors such as the patients’ condition and the type of surgery performed.
Recovery from a minimally invasive procedure such as discectomy is quick and you can recover within weeks. Whereas for spinal fusion, your doctor might suggest physical therapy with appropriate rest for 4 to 6 weeks.
Recovery from a fusion surgery might take about 4 months as it takes time for the bones to heal before you can get back to routine activities.
How long does it take to walk after spinal surgery?
Depending on the surgical method, you can walk within 1 or 2 weeks of the spine surgery. Doctors usually suggest physiotherapy to assist with proper posture and range of motion exercises. Walking forms an essential part of the recovery process and helps in strengthening the spine and speeding the healing process.
Myth 3: Spine surgeons will recommend surgery for all back-related problems
Not everyone suffering from spine problems requires surgery and spine specialists know this. The focus of the doctor is to ensure the best quality of life and least invasive treatment whether it is through surgical treatment or other non-surgical methods such as bed-rest, acupuncture, or physical therapy.
Do damaged discs always require surgery?
Damaged discs do not necessitate surgery. In fact, a majority of patients pursue non-surgical treatment such as pain relievers, rest, exercise, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication.
However, in some cases where the persistent pain due to the damaged disk causes weakness, severe discomfort, and numbness, you might be recommended surgery for fast and smooth recovery.
When Is Back Surgery Recommended?
Spine specialists usually recommend back surgery when all other non-surgical treatments have failed to alleviate the pain and the symptoms are persistent. In cases involving complex spine problems where the patients suffer from severe and intractable pain, doctors favor minimally invasive procedures.
Spine surgeons take an informed call on the nature of the treatment by reviewing the patient’s conditions, results from the MRI, and the patient’s response to other nonsurgical treatments.
Myth 4: One has to rely on Pain killers post a spine surgery
Spine surgeons usually prescribe some pain killers that assist you in managing pain and discomfort, especially after a physiotherapy session. However, even doctors suggest quitting painkillers post 3 months of spine surgery as strong pain medications such as opioids might get addictive.
Spine specialists prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs and pain-relieving medications in addition to physical therapy to usher in a steady recovery.
Conclusion
Bad posture and sedentary lifestyles have increased the prevalence of spine diseases as bad posture results in weaker muscles and ligaments that fail to support the back, leading to back pain. Some people also try treating spine-related issues with massages, pain relievers, bed rest, and exercise when spine surgery is a more feasible and effective option. It is best to consult a spine specialist if you witness any persistent symptoms to decide the most appropriate course of action for your treatment.
