If you need to see a spine surgeon for your back
pain
Expectations from spine surgery
If it is determined that you might need back surgery,
the physician will probably ask you questions about what
you expect to obtain from the surgery. For example:
-
Do you expect a complete cure after back surgery?
-
What percentage of improvement could you live with?
-
What percentage of improvement would you be happy
with?
-
What part of your back problems would you most
want to be improved?
-
What things do you have trouble with now or cannot
do that you would want most to be able to do after
back surgery?
Post-operative care and arrangements following
spine surgery
If you decide to have spine surgery, you should
also be prepared to discuss your post-operative expectations
and arrangements. For example:
-
You might need extended physical therapy or rehabilitation
following spine surgery—can you accept this?
-
What home or family arrangements can be made if
your treatments can be performed at home?
-
When are you likely to have to return to work?
To self-care?
This article has laid out a number of potential topics
that your spine surgeon will probably inquire about.
If you take the time to prepare for these types of
questions, you will most likely find that your consultation
with your spine doctor is much more productive and
this should help get you on the road to recovery more
quickly.
By: Charles
D. Ray, MD
December 11, 2001
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