dummyImage

Spinal Surgery

Spinal Surgery

There are many questions to consider before pursuing spinal surgery. Is surgery necessary to treat the issue or would a non-surgical method be more appropriate? If surgery is required, is it better to have traditional spinal surgery or minimally invasive spine surgery? To answer all those questions and more, our orthopedic spinal surgeons at CMQ Hospitals, discuss factors to consider before pursuing spinal surgery.

When all other options are exhausted and the ailments of the spine begin to affect and control your quality of life, producing numbness, tingling, or weakness, it is time to speak with your doctor about surgical intervention. Spinal surgery is a procedure that corrects issues with the spinal bones (vertebrae), discs, or nerves of the lower back.

It is performed by making a cut on the problem area and removing the bone that covers the spinal cord and the tissue that is causing pressure on the nerve or spinal cord itself.

When is Spinal Surgery Necessary?

This surgery should be considered as a last resort, after trying less invasive treatments, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy, orthopedic devices, and exercise. There are several symptoms of issues that may call for surgery:

  • Pain that extends from the back to the buttocks or back of the thigh.
  • Pain that interferes with daily activities.
  • Weakness in the legs or feet.
  • Numbness of the legs, feet, or toes.
  • Loss of control of the bowel or bladder.

Are There any Risks or Complications?

Surgery performed near the spine is a delicate procedure, and different complications may arise:

  • A common problem that can happen after surgery is thrombophlebitis, which is a condition where the vein becomes inflamed as a result of a clot.
  • Similarly, complications related to the lungs may happen, such as abnormal breathing and infection. This happens because of the anesthetic medications and prolonged periods of bed rest.
  • Other complications may include: Infection due to displacement of the implant or persistent pain.