The idea of surgery is a fearful prospect for many. When that surgery is on the spine, it feels like the stakes are even higher. Fortunately, spinal surgery has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment option for many.
“Spinal surgery is very safe,” says Brett Walker, DO, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery at McLaren Bay Region. “In the United States, over 1.2 million spinal surgeries are performed each year. Spinal surgery has the same risk profile as other types of orthopedic surgeries, including joint replacements.”
For many patients, the prospect of improving their quality of life with a spinal surgery is enough to help them face their fears.
“Thinking about having surgery can be stressful,” said Dr. Walker. “However, spinal surgery is a very effective and safe way to reduce symptoms and improve overall quality of life.”
Spinal surgery most commonly addresses a condition called spinal stenosis. According to Mayo Clinic, spinal stenosis happens when the space inside the backbone is too small and extra pressure is applied to the spinal cord and nerves that travel through the spine. Spinal stenosis happens most often in the lower back and the neck.
“A compressed spinal nerve can cause pain, numbness and tingling in the arms or legs,” said Dr. Walker. “By removing pressure on the nerves through spinal surgery, this can improve these symptoms and has shown to be highly effective.”
New advancements in spinal surgery, including minimally invasive techniques, provide many benefits for the patient after their procedure—including speeding up recovery times for the patient.
“Recovery time generally depends on the type of surgery the patient is having,” said Dr. Walker. “Some larger surgeries do require hospitalization, however, with new technology, many surgeries are minimally invasive and are performed on an outpatient basis where patients go home the same day—reducing hospitalizations and complications. They also have relatively short recovery periods.”
For those concerned with the risks of spinal surgery, they will be shared in detail at your consultation.
“Spinal surgery is very safe, and risks as well as benefits, will be discussed with the patient if surgery is an option,” said Dr. Walker.
Are you ready to get back to the life you love? If so, you can trust the orthopedic experts at McLaren Bay Region to help get you there. To learn more or to schedule an appointment at McLaren Bay Spine Surgery, call (989) 667-2802.