August 8th, 2014
Do I Need Spinal Fusion Surgery?
“Do I need spinal fusion surgery?” This is a question you may be asking yourself, or maybe you have already discussed this at length with a doctor, a friend, or a family member. Any surgery can be an intimidating experience, but especially when it comes to your spine, and you want to make sure something is absolutely necessary before you go through a very complex procedure. If you have already had various treatments or operations on your spine, you might be understandably hesitant to try another option, or you might be too eager to rush into a procedure that is not quite appropriate for your condition.
In any case, the physicians at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute urge all of our patients to pursue several professional opinions and educate themselves about their conditions and all of their treatment options before making any significant decisions toward their long term health prospects. So, for example, when a patient comes to us with a question such as, “Do I need spinal fusion surgery?” we need a great deal more information than a simple rundown of symptoms or details about their ailments or injuries. By taking into consideration your age, your medical history (especially previous spinal surgeries you may have had), and other factors and conditions that may put you at risk during an operation, we can make a better informed decision with regard to whether or not spinal fusion surgery is the right option for you.
As you continue discussing your options with a doctor who is more familiar with your medical condition, you may also consider talking with a surgeon at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute for more information on spinal fusion surgery. Our physicians perform over three thousand spine surgeries each year, among a wide variety of other surgical procedures. Along with all of this experience comes an even wider variety of questions and concerns about various diagnoses, surgeries, and recovery processes. We want to share some of these common questions about spinal fusion surgery with you, to let you know that you are not alone as you face this difficult decision.
