What are Some Common Myths about Spine Surgery?
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Our modern lifestyle choices and job requirements often lead to too many people suffering from back pain. It is caused by poor posture, prolonged desk work, and inactivity in some cases, but nerve damage and injuries can also be the reason. Some people attempt therapies such as massages, rest, exercises, and painkillers, however, surgery may be needed in the most serious situations.
Unfortunately, the idea of spine surgery makes a lot of people anxious because of the wrong information and myths surrounding the procedure! As a result, people continue to ignore their severe spine problem and begin postponing surgery, which, in turn, makes the problem worse. You must know that the introduction of new technical developments over time has greatly aided in the treatment of spine disorders, and spine surgery procedures are safe and effective. As a matter of fact, spine surgeries are successful in India, and the rate is constantly growing every year. It's done by an experienced surgeon
Let us take a look at the myths people often believe about spine surgery and dispel them once and for all.
Modern Spine Surgery Techniques
Three types of spine surgery procedures are used now by neurosurgeons.
1. Minimally invasive spine surgery
Endoscopic spine surgery and other minimally invasive spine surgery methods can be used for around 30% of spine surgery procedures. In this type of spine surgery, the spine surgeon makes a tiny incision that is usually less than one inch, and then the surgeon performs the surgery by using specialized instruments, including retractors, endoscopes, and microscopes. Less damage is done to the muscles around the spine during minimally invasive spine surgery, which can lessen postoperative discomfort and speed up the spine surgery recovery period.
2. Open surgery
Most spine surgery operations are still carried out through an open surgery method, in which the surgeon operates directly on the spine. Open operation still the best. It gives the best outcome & cure. Spinal tumor and spondylosis need this method.
Common Myths about Spine Surgery
People should be aware that a wide range of operations that aid in treating various spinal problems fall under the common term of spine surgery. The ailment a surgeon is treating largely determines the kind of spine surgery they will use, and this could range from minimally invasive techniques that enable faster recovery times to more involved operations that require open surgery. However, the myths about spine surgery remain the same, so now let us take a look at the common myths and debunk them.
Recovery takes months after all spine surgeries
A lengthy back incision is necessary for traditional, open surgery, such as cervical spine surgery, needs a longer recovery time. However, with minimally invasive surgeries or laser surgeries, specialists use the latest techniques when treating each patient, which entails smaller incisions, less scarring, and a far faster recovery period. Patients who get minimally invasive spine surgery do not require prolonged bed stays to recuperate!
People need more surgeries after spine surgery
It is highly unlikely that patients will require further surgery when treated by the proper spine specialist, obtain the appropriate diagnosis, and receive the right therapy at the right time. Every certified surgeon spends the necessary time to thoroughly evaluate each patient, identify the underlying reason for their persistent leg, neck, or back pain, and suggest the best course of action based on the diagnosis. Doctors don’t operate on patients unless it is absolutely required because any surgery comes with potential complications, and spine surgery is no different.
Spine surgery can cause paralysis
People get very scared about this myth without gathering the full information. Before recommending surgery to a patient, surgeons constantly consider the risk-benefit ratio, and the type of surgery and the section of the spine that is operated on determine which specific problem will arise. For instance, there is a potential for paralysis as a consequence if surgery is performed on the cervical or thoracic spine, however, the risk of paralysis is minimal if the lumbar spine is the surgical site. The likelihood of lifelong paralysis, even in the cervical or thoracic spine, is quite low, and people shouldn’t worry about that if the doctor recommends surgery.
Spine surgery can cause more pain than before
This is another myth that is simply not true. In most cases, after surgery, people recover and feel much less pain than they had before surgery. Unfortunately, even after having surgery, some patients may still experience discomfort, but rather than being the norm, these instances are the exception. It is possible that the patient either underwent the incorrect technique or that the surgery was not required in the first place if they are still in pain following the treatment. To ensure that they only receive the essential therapy, patients should see a physician who has years of training and experience in diagnosing spinal disorders because chronic pain can truly be reduced by surgical procedures when done properly.
What Conditions Require Spine Surgery
Many patients see a doctor for neck or back discomfort, and non-surgical methods like physical therapy or medication will almost certainly be effective up to a point. However, when patients with neck and back pain do not improve with conservative measures, they may benefit from spine surgery, and your primary care physician will recommend a neurosurgeon to you in this case. In certain situations, new spine surgery techniques, such as minimally invasive spine surgery, can provide a quicker recovery, but ultimately, the specialist will know the best method for your surgery.
Spine surgery may be beneficial for the following conditions:
Cervical or Lumbar Disc Herniation | The most common cause of cervical or lumbar disc herniation is degenerative disc disease, although it can also result from twisting or turning during lifting, injuries, or traumatic events like falls. Sometimes referred to as a slipped disc, ruptured disc, or pinched nerve, surgical treatment of a herniated disc may provide less discomfort and long-term recovery than conservative management. |
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) | One of the most frequent causes of lower back pain is degenerative disc disease (DDD), which is often treated with conservative methods, and only in rare cases, disc replacement surgery can be necessary. |
Spinal stenosis | Surgery may be used to treat spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal since it can improve function and reduce discomfort more than conservative treatment methods. |
Loss of motor or bladder control | Surgery is beneficial for disorders that impair motor or bladder function, such as cauda equina syndrome, a rare disorder that affects the lumbar nerves. |
Spondylolisthesis | In spondylolisthesis, the lower spine bone slides onto the bone underneath it, causing it to tilt out of alignment and if physical therapy, traction, or anti-inflammatory drugs are ineffective for a patient's symptoms, surgery may often be the solution. |
Myelopathy | Myelopathy is a disorder that affects the neck or mid-back and causes irritation or damage to the spinal cord, but surgery can relieve that. |
Spinal tumors involving the spine, intradural, extradural or intramedullary tumors.
Conclusion
Spine surgery is a major surgery, and doctors never suggest this to a patient who does not require them, however, certain conditions can only be cured for long-term only with surgery. People need a long rehabilitation after spine surgery, but that is often worth it since there is a chance of a full cure that conservative treatment, such as painkillers, physical therapy, and exercise cannot provide. It is best that you speak to a professional for any spine surgery-related inquiry or about your chronic pain condition if you think other pain management methods are not working for you.
Give Medanta a call to book an appointment with a specialist spine surgeon and get answers to all your questions!
