SPINE SURGEON NJ: NEW JERSEY'S TOP NECK AND BACK PAIN SPECIALISTS!

Success rates differ according to surgeon skill and condition, but the general results are promising. On average, spinal fusions are successful up to 80% of the time. Surgeries specifically performed to eliminate pain and sciatica such as microdiscectomy are up to 70% successful.

Success rates are often measured by patient satisfaction and pain relief. Those who go under the knife might have had a successful operation with no complications, only to be inconvenienced by the same kind of pain. In these cases, patients will be tested for other forms of invasive surgery in hopes of permanently reducing pain.

Like other medical procedures, spine surgeries, while rare, may lead to complications. For instance, only 1% of spinal surgeries develop an infection. Complications from the general anesthesia occur when a person has an unusually high tolerance against the drugs or is experiencing other medical problems.

Some patients may develop thrombophlebitis, also referred to as Deep Venous Thrombosis or DVT, post-operation. Patients who have never undergone any surgery might be subjected to blood clotting on the legs and thighs. DVT is a common problem following different kinds of surgical procedures, not just spine surgery. However, DVT is completely preventable by ensuring proper blood circulation through drugs or exercises.

In conclusion, the risks of spine surgery come from factors not concerning the procedure itself. On its own, spinal surgeries are safe and effective in relieving conditions such as chronic back pain.

Recovery times depend on a number of things including the type of surgery performed, your overall health, and the degree of symptoms experienced prior to the operation. For instance, spinal fusions can take a full 6 months before your spine fully heals. Minor operations like a laminectomy result in shorter rest times; full recovery is to be expected in just 12-14 weeks. Manage expectations by asking your physician about your specific case.

Spinal stabilization or spinal immobilization is the ideal solution for patients who suffer instability in their spine. Common causes include injury, degenerative spinal diseases, and scoliosis. This surgery involves the insertion of hardware into the spine for increased support.There are two main kinds of spinal stabilization: open back procedures and less invasive procedures that operate on the lateral and anterior parts of the spine. The latter uses small incisions resulting in faster recovery time and less pain.

Minimizing lower back strain should be the main priority. Note that there are no prescribed sleeping positions during recovery. The important thing is for the patient to get uninterrupted sleep for optimal healing.Your doctor might suggest to lay face up or to elevate parts of your body to prevent straining. At the end of the day, it’s important to sleep on the side you’re most comfortable on.

Pain associated with back surgery comes during the recovery process. As your skin and bones begin to mend themselves, some pain will come as a result. Your doctor will prescribe narcotics to minimize inconvenience. These are typically taken for one to three months following the procedure.On the other hand, you will feel no pain during the procedure itself. You will be injected with a local anesthesia to prepare you for the operation. Some discomfort will be experienced during the administration of the anesthesia.

Not necessarily. Most cases of spinal stenosis can be treated even without a surgery. It is only after non-surgical treatments have been proven ineffective that physicians considering a surgical route.You might be endorsed for a spine surgery if you start feeling unusual numbness, pain, and decreased motor capability in your arms and legs. Surgery becomes an obvious solution when stenosis has progressed into more serious cases.

It’s important to ask your surgeon for approval. Some wounds may only take weeks to heal but it doesn’t mean you are fit to start driving behind the wheel. Others can resume driving in as little as 2 weeks while others need to wait a little longer. It’s crucial to check in with your physician to see if you can safely begin driving a vehicle.

Your general condition dictates the amount of time you have to wear a back brace. Patients who have undergone a lumbar fusion wear their braces for up to three months on average. Minimal surgeries recommend two to three weeks of wearing a back brace.Back braces are not just an accessory. They limit movement and tension on your spine as it fully heals. Make sure to take prescriptions seriously to avoid injury and speed up recovery.

Your physician may prescribe anything from opioid analgesics to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Oral, intramuscular, and intravenous options are prescribed depending on your specific needs.

Physicians usually prescribe higher doses of medicine for the first couple of weeks following the surgery and then recommend NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and aspirin. Powerful drugs are limited for a short amount of time to minimize the possibilities of dependence and abuse. Alternative forms of pain management such as hypnotherapy and acupuncture are also useful in supplementing your recovery.

When left untreated, spinal stenosis can evolve into other disorders such as myelopathy, neurogenic claudication, or cauda equina syndrome. Myelopathy develops after spinal stenosis causes undue pressure on the spinal cord, which can eventually lead to paralysis or death.

Neurogenic claudication is more of a symptom of spinal stenosis, characterized by discomfort in the legs or buttocks. In this case, pain can be alleviated through physical therapy.

Cauda equina syndrome occurs when the nerve roots of the lumbar spine are damaged. This results in loss of sensation, paralysis, and incontinence.

Note that not all cases of stenosis evolve into more serious spinal problems. However, when left untreated, symptoms severely alter one’s quality of life.

Yes. In severe cases of stenosis, patients gradually lose their motor function and strength until it becomes impossible to perform basic movements like standing up.

It’s crucial for diagnosed patients to keep their physicians in-check to ensure that their stenosis does not get worse. Medication, physical therapy, and spinal surgery may be endorsed to prevent further deterioration.

Yes, walking up and down the stairs won’t be a problem. You will be asked to be more mindful of bending your hips, straining your back, or any other movement that can cause stress to your spine.

In the first few weeks following your surgery, you should practice walking, sitting, and climbing stairs with a guide. Before release, you will undergo some physical therapy in the hospital to prepare you for your home recovery.

Spinal fusion involves the fusing of two or more vertebrae to reduce spinal movement and instability. Spinal fusion is recommended when the primary source of back pain happens to be movement. By compressing the spine, spinal fusion creates a more stable foundation that acts as a better support for movement and weight.

Spinal fusion is considered a major surgery because it involves the insertion of a bone graft to help individual parts of the vertebrae heal into one solid bone.

For the first few weeks, you will be expected to mindfully care for your incision. Most wounds heal superficially within two weeks but that doesn’t mean that the area has completely healed.

Exercise will become a significant part of your healing process. Walking is a common low-stress exercise following back surgeries as this allows the spine to acclimate to a different range of motion as it heals. Physical therapy will be recommended to you for the first three months following the operation.

Most importantly, keep in touch with your physician regarding pain, medication, and unusual sensations to help monitor your recovery.