The Top Points to Discuss with Your Surgeon

It is a fact that surgery makes people feel nervous. In case you have to undergo a spinal surgery, you need to know more about the procedure involved to decrease your anxiety. There are few points that you must discuss with your spine surgeon prior to the surgery.

You must enquire as to what kind of procedure he has planned for you. There are many kinds of surgery of the spine. You could ask your surgeon to tell you the details of the procedure which he would perform as the surgery takes place. You should also be clear about the reason for discectomy or removing the disc, in case you are going for one. You should also know the exact location of the spinal cord, where the surgery is to be performed. Another thing you must be aware of is whether screws, cages or plates would be used as instruments of the spine, to lend the spinal cord, some stability.

Explanation of the procedure

There are a varied procedures through which you surgeon can explain the whole procedure to you like through drawings or videos or referencing to websites.  They will provide a better idea of the whole process. You must know the reasons of having the surgery. You must know well what improvement the surgery will bring in to your body.

You should be completely updated about the advantages of the surgery. You should be confident, that you would be relieved of pain, once this surgery is done, and would join back work. You must also find out how long the effects and advantages of the surgery would stay and whether you would need any operation, in future. You should be updated about the risks involved in this surgery. These risks could be excessive bleeding, any reactions or anesthetic implications. You must be totally aware of each and every complication that may arise and some after effects that may happen like swelling, sore feeling, and pain in case it is there, and how they could be taken care of. You should also keep an option and discuss with the surgeon, what would happen in case you did not take this surgery.

What you will do if your condition deteriorates or you have more pain?

You must discuss with your surgeon your recovery time post the surgery. Ask him when you can resume your normal activities. You should also be aware of the cost of the operation.

Will the insurance company pay for a second opinion?

Physical therapy is prescribed by most surgeons after surgery. Your surgeon will be able to tell you the nature of your therapy and the duration. Physical therapy is heat and ice therapy combined together. Stretching, gentle massage and also exercise helps to reduce pain and increase mobility. Physical therapists will suggest specific exercises to suit your specific needs. It is important to have a detailed discussion with your spinal surgeon regarding the various facts related to surgery both prior and post surgery. You need to know every possible detail about the procedure.