Question 1

what is the recovery for lapendectomy back surgery?

Accepted Answer

"Laminectomy?": Most of my patients have recovered from a simple laminectomy by about 6 weeks. A fusion typically doubles this time.

Question 2

what is a back surgery like?

Accepted Answer

What kind?: Spine surgery can range from outpatient, minimally invasive surgery done with the patient under a local anesthesia to complex, multi staged reconstructive spine surgery requiring close monitoring intraoperatively and post operatively with placement into a rehabilitation facility after leaving the hospital for several weeks or longer.

Question 3

what does back surgery involve?

Accepted Answer

Varies: Most of the time it is done under general anesthesia (put to sleep with drugs), cleansing the skin, making an incision, moving tissues gently out of the way to get to the problem area. Depending on the problem, abnormal tissue may be removed or a fusion (making part of the spine stiff but stable). Sometimes implants of various kinds are used. The size of the surgery varies tremendously.

Question 4

what are common types of back surgery?

Accepted Answer

Spinal stenosis: The most common back surgery is a laminectomy for lumbar nerve root compression, either from a herniated disc or from arthritic spinal stenosis. Other forms of surgery are more specific to spinal issues including multiple variants of spinal fusion procedures.  Treatment for osteoporoctic fractures, such as kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty, are also quite common.

Question 5

how painful is back surgery typically?

Accepted Answer

Why and what surgery: First question is, do you need surgery?  Seek a second opinnion.  Most times back surgery stabilizes the spne but does not necessarily reduce the pain.  A reputable pain management specialist can help you in that decision.  Do not mask the pain with medications though.  Find the root cause and treat with the least invasive treatment possible.

Question 6

how serious is it to have back surgery?

Accepted Answer

Serious: All surgeries carry some degree of risk. The "seriousness" of the surgery also depends on what type of surgical procedure is being done, i.E minimally invasive vs a fusion. Talk to your surgeon to ascertain the risks involved and consider a second opinion to see if surgery is the best option.

Question 7

after back surgery can you get shorter?

Accepted Answer

Sure - by not much: Sure - you can get a tiny teeny bit shorter - dependent on what surgery and who did your surgery.  Discectomy removes a small portion of your inter-vertebral disc. One disc only makes up a tiny fraction of your spine (or overall height) but losing a quarter inch or so following back surgery is normal.

Question 8

can you tell me about x-stop back surgery?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It is a non fusion device used to treat spinal stenosis.  Basically, it is implanted between the spinous processes and distracts between them, thereby opening up the nerve canal.  I used to do a lot more of them, but a recent paper shows they have a 26 percent reoperation rate.  I still think they are a good option for the properly selected patient.

Question 9

when is back surgery typically recommended?

Accepted Answer

Last resort or: When conservative treatments (pt, meds, injections, other) have failed and there is a structural problem causing disabling back and leg symptoms. Severe /progressive leg weakness, numbness and or loss of bowel and bladder control are urgent indicators for surgery.

Question 10

what are good alternatives to back surgery?

Accepted Answer

Many: As long as imaging studies don't show disc problems ( along with numbness nor weakness ) then acupuncture, stretching, massage, and heat are some of the alternatives to back surgery.

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Doctor answers about:

Lapendectomy back surgery

A member asked:

What is the recovery for lapendectomy back surgery?

A member asked:

What is a back surgery like?

A member asked:

What does back surgery involve?

A member asked:

What are common types of back surgery?

A member asked:

How painful is back surgery typically?

A member asked:

How serious is it to have back surgery?

A member asked:

After back surgery can you get shorter?

A member asked:

Can you tell me about x-stop back surgery?

A member asked:

When is back surgery typically recommended?

A member asked:

What are good alternatives to back surgery?

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