TREATMENT OPTIONS

Decisions regarding treatment for your back must be made carefully. In most instances, there is ample time to learn about your spinal condition so that you can make an educated decision about your care.

Learn more about some treatment options for the neck and back:

  • Acupuncture
  • Chiropractic Care
  • Epidural Spinal Injections
  • Exercise
  • Facet Joint Injections
  • Medications
  • Physical Therapy

You are the only one who can decide to have spinal surgery. It is important that you take ownership of this decision, recognizing the limitations your particular physical condition places on the potential success of each of the treatment options. If you choose to have spine surgery, your physical condition and your mental attitude will play a role your body’s ability to heal. You must approach your surgery with confidence, a positive attitude, and a thorough understanding of the anticipated outcome. You should have realistic goals and work steadily to achieve those goals.

The decision to have or not to have spinal surgery includes weighing the risks and benefits involved. You will make the final decision, so ask your spine surgeon questions about anything you do not understand. Since medical care is tailored to each person’s needs and differences, not all information presented here will apply to your treatment or its outcome. Seek the advice of your physician and other members of the health care team for specific information about your medical condition.

It is important that you discuss the potential risks, complications, and benefits of spinal surgery with your doctor prior to receiving treatment, and that you rely on your physicians judgment. Only your doctor can determine whether you are a suitable candidate for this treatment.

The materials on this Web site are for your general educational information only. Information you read on this Web site cannot replace the relationship that you have with your health care professional. We do not practice medicine or provide medical services or advice as a part of this Web site. You should always talk to your health care professional for diagnosis and treatment.

NECK (CERVICAL)

Decisions regarding treatment for your neck must be made carefully. In most instances, there is ample time to learn about your spinal condition so that you can make an educated decision about your care.

Learn more about some treatment options for the neck:

  • Anterior Cervical Discectomy
  • Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion (ACDF)
  • Cervical Corpectomy
  • Cervical Foraminotomy
  • Cervical Laminectomy
  • Minimally Invasive Cervical Discectomy

LOWER BACK (LUMBAR)

Decisions regarding treatment for your back must be made carefully. In most instances, there is ample time to learn about your spinal condition so that you can make an educated decision about your care.

Learn more about some treatment options for the back:

  • Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
  • Lumbar Corpectomy and Fusion
  • Lumbar Laminectomy
  • Minimally Invasive Lumbar Discectomy
  • Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)
  • Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion
  • Spinal Fusion
  • Spinal Decompression
  • Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)

RECOVERY

As you prepare yourself mentally to undergo spinal surgery, you also need to prepare yourself for the recovery period that will follow your operation. While the surgery entails work on the part of the surgeon, after that, the brunt of the work is in your hands. To ensure a smooth and healthy recovery, it is important that, as a patient, you closely follow the set of instructions that your surgical team gives you.

After the operation, you will be brought to the recovery room or intensive care unit (ICU) for observation. When you wake up from the anesthesia, you may be slightly disoriented, and not know where you are. The nurses and doctors around you will tell you where you are, and remind you that you have undergone surgery. As the effects of the anesthesia wear off, you will feel very tired, and, at this point, will be encouraged to rest.

Members of your surgical team may ask you to respond to some simple commands, such as Wiggle your fingers and toes and Take deep breaths. When you awaken, you will be lying on your back, which may seem surprising, if you have had surgery through an incision in the back; however, lying on your back is not harmful to the surgical area.

Prior to the surgery, an intravenous (IV) tube will be inserted into your arm to provide your body with fluids during your hospital stay. The administration of these fluids will make you feel swollen for the first few days after the operation.

When you awake from the anesthesia, you may feel the urge to urinate. So, in addition to the IV, a catheter tube (also commonly called a Foley Catheter) may be placed into your bladder to drain urine from your system. The catheter serves two purposes: (1) it permits the doctors and nurses to monitor how much urine your body is producing, and (2) it eliminates the need for you to get up and go to the bathroom. Once you are able to get up and move around, the catheter will be removed, and you can then use the bathroom normally.

During your hospital stay, you will get additional instructions from your nurses and other members of your surgical teams regarding your diet and activity.

Proper nutrition is an important factor in your recovery. Your surgeon may restrict what you drink and eat, or place you on a special diet, depending on the surgical approach that was used during the operation. Calories and food intake are an important part of recovery. Some patients find that their physician orders are less restrictive than the diet they follow at home. After the surgery, you will continue to receive intravenous fluids until you are able to tolerate regular liquids, which typically involves gradually transitioning you from sips of clear fluids to full liquids (including JELL-O® gelatin). From there, you will be given small amounts of solid food until you are ready to return to a regular diet.

With respect to physical activity, in most cases, your surgeon will want for you to get out of bed on the first or second day after your surgery. Nurses and physical therapists will assist you with this activity until you feel comfortable enough to get up and move around on your own.

Before you are discharged from the hospital, your doctor and other members of the hospital staff will give you additional self-care instructions for you to follow at home a list of dos and don’ts, which you will be asked to follow for the first 6 to 8 weeks of your home recovery. So, if you are unsure of any of these instructions, ask for clarification. Following these instructions is crucial to your recovery.

Nowadays, surgery involves one or more incisions depending on the surgical approach used to perform the operation. Therefore, when you are discharged home you may still have a surgical dressing on your incision(s). Either a nurse will visit your home to change the dressing or a caregiver, such as one of your family members, will be taught to do it for you. It is important that the dressing be changed daily and kept dry.

If any signs of infection are observed while changing the dressing, call your doctor. These signs include:

  • Fever a body temperature greater than 101°F (38°C)
  • Drainage from the incision(s)
  • Opening of the incision(s), and
  • Redness or warmth around the incision(s).

In addition, call your doctor if you experience chills, nausea/vomiting, or suffer any type of trauma (e.g., a fall, automobile accident).

During this recovery period, you will also be instructed to keep your incision(s) clean, making sure only to use soap and water to cleanse the area. In general, you should not shower until your doctor has permitted you to do so.

In addition to caring for your incision(s), you will also be encouraged to:

  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Maintain a healthy diet (high in protein)
  • Walk or do deep-breathing exercises, and
  • Gradually increase your physical activity.

Activities to avoid include any heavy lifting, climbing (including stairs), bending, or twisting. You should also avoid the use of skin lotion in the area of the incision(s); you need to keep this area dry until it has had the opportunity to heal well.

Follow up with your doctor on a regular basis during this postoperative period, and make sure to call your doctor if you have any concerns or questions.

JELL-O® gelatin is a registered trademark of Kraft Foods, Inc.

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