A back operation can help you find relief from spine pain. Conditions that cause this pain in the back and neck include bulging disc, herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, and bone spurs. Since back pain from these conditions can be extremely debilitating, it may seem like deciding to undergo a back operation is an easy choice. However, it is always important to consider the benefits and drawbacks of a back operation and to have realistic expectations about what to can expect after the procedure.
Following a traditional back operation, you may be required to stay in the hospital for one or more days. You’ll be advised not only to rest, but also to become active again as soon as possible after your surgery. Anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications will likely be administered. Your doctor will also check the point of incision to make sure there is no inflammation or infection. After a back operation, it will also be important for you to establish a rehabilitation regimen soon after returning home. Physical therapy, which involves exercise and stretching the muscles and ligaments surrounding the surgery site, will likely be part of it. Full recovery could take anywhere from several weeks to a year. Complications, such as infection, return of symptoms, nerve injury, or negative reactions to the general anesthesia, could draw out the recovery.
However, there is an alternative to a traditional surgery. Minimally invasive, endoscopic procedures can not only help to relieve your back and neck pain, but also often come with a shorter recovery time. Often, most patients can return to unrestricted levels of activity within 8 to 12 weeks.
Additionally, because the incision for a laser-assisted surgery is only about three-quarters of an inch, the risk of infection is extremely low. Endoscopic procedures also require only local anesthesia and deep IV sedation, which eliminates the complications associated with general anesthesia.
To learn more about a minimally invasive back operation from Laser Spine Institute (LSI), contact us today. We can also provide you with a free review of your MRI or CT scan.
