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Common Questions About Back Surgery

“Not knowing what questions to ask turned into the biggest obstacle…I was focused on the outcome. I did care about the risks, but there were aspects of the surgery that I would have liked to have known about. Up until about four days before my surgery, I thought I was going to be near fully recovered and walking around within a week. But, of course, this was not the case.”

Many people who have undergone back surgery say they wish they had asked more questions about how to prepare—not just for the operation itself, but also for the recovery period. Here are some general questions and answers which may be useful.

“How risky is back surgery?”

29 Oct 2013
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Even today, many people—including some health professionals—believe that back surgery is a high-risk procedure. While back surgery should be seen as a major event it isn’t “risky” and the results can be anticipated with some certainty. This is particularly true when surgery is...
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“What kind of preparations should I make before the operation?”

29 Oct 2013
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Many people scheduled for back surgery wait months before their operations take place. During that time, there’s a lot you can do to make your recovery easier: If your doctor has suggested you lose some extra weight, this is a good time to make changes to your diet and activity...
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“Will I need a general anesthetic?”

29 Oct 2013
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This depends on many factors—the actual procedure being done, your age and general health, your surgeon’s preferences and your own (see About anaesthesia)
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How invasive is back surgery?

29 Oct 2013
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This depends on your procedure, and your surgeon’s techniques. In recent years, microsurgical approaches have been developed and refined. This means the operation can be done using several smaller incisions (rather than one large one) through which specialized instruments are...
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How long will I be in the hospital?

29 Oct 2013
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This varies from patient to patient. A simple discectomy, for example, is now done as same-day surgery, with the patient sent home a few hours after the procedure. Other more complex operations such as a long decompression or an extensive fusion may require you to be admitted to...
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Is back surgery painful?

29 Oct 2013
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Any surgical procedure is associated with a certain degree of pain due to the cutting and suturing of tissues. You should expect a certain amount of discomfort in the skin and muscles along your spine right after your operation. Your doctor or other care providers will suggest...
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Will I need convalescent care?

29 Oct 2013
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Probably not. Very few spinal procedures prevent will you from doing most things for yourself during the recovery period. If your surgery is out of the ordinary, you may need extra, help but that’s something you will know well in advance after talking with your surgeon and...
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Will I need physiotherapy?

29 Oct 2013
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After surgery you’ll be encouraged to be up and walking around as soon as possible. How soon depends on the advice and instructions from your surgeon and other members of the care team. Most people who understand what’s expected and who can manage their post-operative pain, will...
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How long will it take me to recover fully?

29 Oct 2013
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Recovery time from back surgery differs between individuals and depends on the nature and extent of the surgery. If you’re having a simple discotomy or a small decompression, you should be getting around by the time you leave hospital. You may only need a little help with lifting...
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When will I notice improvement in my back or leg pain?

29 Oct 2013
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The success of any surgical procedure depends on a number of factors. Above all, it’s important to have realistic expectations about what can and can’t be accomplished in your own case. Back surgery won’t be “successful” if there’s a large gap between what the patient wants and...
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How will I know that I’m getting better?

29 Oct 2013
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As you recover, you may feel occasional twinges of your pre-operative symptoms, but these should be temporary. Here are some general guidelines aimed at helping you understand what to expect as you recover from one of the spinal operations described here (see Three Common Back...
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If surgery is successful, does that mean I’ll never have back or leg pain again?

29 Oct 2013
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Full recovery from back surgery doesn’t necessarily mean total pain relief. One of the biggest obstacles to patient satisfaction after an operation is unrealistic expectations. Because the pain can arise from more than one source and because the surgery can only make things...
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What if the surgery doesn’t work?

29 Oct 2013
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Although most patients notice improvement fairly soon, don’t be too hasty in deciding that your surgery has failed. Some people just recover more slowly than others. As long as the operation hasn’t increased your pre-operative symptoms, you may still be on the right track. But...
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Could having surgery leave me feeling worse than I did before?

29 Oct 2013
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Although this doesn’t happen often, some patients do develop increased back or leg pain after their operations. This could be due to some obvious complication, which should be discussed with your surgeon. Or it could be due to your body’s unique response to the added pain and...
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I’m feeling really anxious about the operation. What can I do?

29 Oct 2013
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Emotional support for people having back surgery is very important. You may be worried about whether you’ve made the right decision. You may be fearful about having general anaesthetic and undergoing an invasive procedure. You may be anxious about how painful the recovery will...
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What To Expect Before, During and After Back Surgery

29 Oct 2013
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The pre-operative visit A week or two before your operation, your surgeon or the hospital will call you to come in for a pre-operative visit. You’ll meet with various members of the care team who will assess your general health, help you prepare for surgery, discuss your...
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