Around 500,000 Americans seek surgery to address lower back problems each year. If you’ve ever experienced back pain, you understand how necessary relief is. You may even be considering a visit to the spine surgery center yourself.
Back surgery is an invasive procedure that many patients don’t take lightly. But, if you’re suffering from excruciating pain and numbness in your extremities, surgery may be your only option for relief. This article aims to provide an overview of back surgery to help you understand what to expect before scheduling your procedure.
Types of Back Surgery
By definition, back surgery aims to alter one’s spinal anatomy to provide pain relief. Not all causes of back pain require surgery. But, there are many cases where it’s necessary.
However, each case may warrant a different procedure depending on what’s causing the pain. Here’s a brief overview of common spine surgeries and why surgeons do them.
Spinal Fusion
One of the most common types of back surgery is spinal fusion. Surgeons use this procedure to fuse vertebrae in the lower lumbar or sacral region. This surgery becomes necessary when there has been severe degeneration or injury to spinal discs, ligaments, or nerves.
Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR)
During an ADR, the surgeon replaces a damaged spinal disk with an artificial one. Often presented as an alternative to spinal fusion, this surgery allows patients to keep spinal movement post-recovery.
But, it’s only an option when a degenerated disc is the cause of pain. Nerve or ligament-caused pain isn’t often addressable through ADR.
Spinal Decrompression
Patients suffering from spinal stenosis can find relief through spinal decompression surgery. Spinal stenosis is a condition caused by extra pressure on one or more spinal nerves. Spinal decompression can also treat herniated discs and sciatica symptoms by relieving pressure on the nerve root.
Spine Surgery Center Tips: Preparing for Back Surgery
Depending on your recovery expectations, you may spend a lot of time in the spine surgery center after the procedure. During that time, you’ll be unable to work, complete domestic responsibilities, or do any strenuous activities.
If you want to focus on your recovery with minimized stress, you should arrive at the spine surgery center well-prepared. Understand the risks of your surgery and have a worst-case scenario plan in place. That means pack enough of your prescriptions and other essentials to last your recovery time and a half.
Your doctor should keep all the right paperwork on file, but it may help to bring your copies along. But, if you want care from the best neck surgeon, we don’t recommend accepting a doctor who loses paperwork.
Back Surgery Recovery Expectations
The patient’s age, pre-surgery physical condition, and environment affect how long it will take to recover from back surgery. But the primary recovery factor is the type of surgery.
On average, back surgery recovery takes between one day and six weeks. However, other surgeries may require up to two years of recovery and rehabilitation before patients can return to work. Sometimes even the best neurosurgeon can’t heal faster than time and patience.
How to Find a Back and Spine Doctor
Before choosing a surgeon, you should consider costs and insurance coverage. But, you’re also looking for quality; a cursory google search of spinal surgeons near me or surgical center near me won’t cut it.
Before scheduling your surgery, research neurosurgery in Nashville TN. Look at patient testimonials, case studies, and the surgical staff’s credentials to gain confidence in their care. Cross-reference that with your insurance network to find the perfect neck and spine doctor for your needs.
Spinal Surgeons Near Me: Finding the Best Neurosurgeon in Nashville
Nashville is home to some of the best neurosurgical clinics in America. That means you don’t have to settle for less when choosing a spine surgery center here.
Howell Allen Clinic houses the best neurosurgery team in Nashville, so you’re in good hands when you choose us. We’re conveniently located to serve you with 21 locations across the greater Nashville area. Contact us today to learn more about our surgical team and services.
