For most people, having spine surgical treatment of any kind is frightening, intimidating, and a good reason to avoid making an appointment to see a doctor. Unfortunately, avoiding the physician will worsen the problem (and the likelihood that surgery may be a necessity greater.
When it comes to spine surgery, the fears that develop and misinformation that patients often read online or hear from friends and relatives can be a very destructive force. Our orthopedic surgeons and the entire medical team of New York Spine Specialist walk our patients through the spinal surgery process and provide patients with as much information as they need to feel comfortable with their treatment options.
At New York Spine Specialist, we strive to break through the fears and common misconceptions about spine surgery and orthopedic surgeons to ensure that our patients can improve their lives and work toward a pain-free life. From spinal deformity surgery to treatment for spinal stenosis, our medical doctors and orthopedic surgeons specialize in treatment for all spine-related conditions.
What Is Orthopedic Surgery?
When an orthopedic spine surgeon performs surgery, that doctor focuses on the musculoskeletal system’s bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The orthopedic surgeon may perform spine surgery for those who suffer from chronic back pain that seems to stem from a spinal column condition. This, of course, will come after having attempted the more minimally invasive types of treatments first.
At New York Spine Specialist, our team specializes in spinal disorders and sports medicine related to the spinal cord. Our spine care experts can provide treatments and perform surgery on the cervical spine, lumbar spine, thoracic spine, and spinal discs, which may have been affected by spine conditions.
Orthopedic surgeons, in general, will treat issues associated with the hips, knees, feet, ankles, shoulders, elbows, hands, and spine.
Fears Associated With Surgical Treatment on the Spinal Cord
When it comes to spine surgery, many people become very nervous at the prospect. That is likely because of the important role that the spine plays in everyday movements and activities. Most patients would imagine that spine surgery would greatly inhibit their ability to perform their daily activities until they have recovered.
Some of the most common fears associated with orthopedic spine surgery (or surgery in general) include:
- Surgical errors made by spine surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, or other members of the spine center
- Waking up during the surgical intervention and feeling intense pain
- The spine surgery will fail to eliminate the problem, or a procedure like a bone graft will not be successful
- The surgery will make the problem worse or leave the individual incapacitated
All of these fears should be discussed with your medical doctors and their teams. Some situations like the presence of spine tumors or slipped/herniated discs will require surgical care, so it is important to make your board-certified doctors aware of your fears and allow them to alleviate the fear.
At New York Spine Specialist, we believe in taking a conservative approach to spinal conditions. Still, if the treatment plan calls for special surgery, our
spine experts will happily discuss all of your apprehensions and concerns. We offer exceptional and personalized care to ensure that you understand the process and the reason for the chosen treatment.
Common Misconceptions About Orthopedic Spine Surgery
In addition to the common fears associated with surgery on the spine, many misconceptions need to be corrected about spinal procedures. The top misconceptions that our team at New York Spine Specialist works to correct include:
- Increased risk of complications related to spine surgery: All surgical procedures have risks. There is no denying that there will be risks of complications with any surgery. However, risks related to spine surgery are no greater than any other, and the minimally invasive types of spine surgeries often offer a lowered risk.
- Spine surgery is on the same level of extreme as a procedure like brain surgery: Most spine surgeries can be done in a minimally invasive way. This means smaller incisions, reduced scarring, and faster recovery times. Although spine surgery is no laughing matter, it is not usually as extreme as many patients believe.
- Surgery is almost always the first recommended treatment option: This is most certainly not the case, especially for the spine doctors at New York Spine Specialist. We will recommend non-invasive, less intense treatment options first before jumping to surgery. If the pain can be reduced and the condition treated without surgery, New York Spine Specialist will try the conservative options first.
- Patients will have to undergo spine surgery again: Generally speaking, spine surgery has a very high success rate. This relies on the patient also following post-operative instructions and attending physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain strength, mobility, and functionality. Patients will usually not have to have it performed more than once.
- Recovery from the surgery for various orthopedic conditions will be extremely long and painful: In previous years, the recovery period for spinal cord surgeries was quite lengthy and painful. In modern medicine, though, many spine surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis, and their effects may only last a few days or up to a few weeks.
At New York Spine Specialist, our team is dedicated to ensuring that you are well aware of all aspects of your medical care and that you feel comfortable with your treatment plan. We strive to provide the most accurate diagnosis and treatment options to alleviate your pain.
Contact Our Orthopedic Spine Surgeon to Discuss Your Treatment Options
If you are suffering from a painful spinal condition that has been debilitating in your life, contact New York Spine Specialist. Call us or make an appointment online to meet with our orthopedic spine experts! Our team is here to examine your spine, diagnose your issue, and work diligently to provide you with the best treatment available.
