Depending on the severity of your back pain condition, your doctor may suggest that you have surgery if you have been suffering with ongoing back pain despite conventional treatments.  There are a number of different surgical procedures for back pain.  The type of surgery you will have will depend on the severity of the problem, although in general this nature of this invasive procedure is undertaken to correct nerve damage in the back as a result of a compressed or damaged disc.

Although back surgery can be a highly complicated procedure, it can have a number of benefits on someone who has been experiencing back pain for a prolonged period of time. This article outlines the 5 things you should know about surgical procedures for back pain.

1. Back surgery as a last resort

Back pain is a common condition which can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Back surgery is often the last resort and will only be suggested by a medical professional if the problem is severe enough and all other options have been exhausted. Other non-surgical procedures are usually suggested first, such as physiotherapy, where a number of techniques which pertain to mobility are used to treat back pain. Massage or other alternative forms of healthcare may also be employed on an individual who has been suffering from a bad back.

2. Recovery time

As back surgery is an invasive medical procedure, the recovery phase after the operation can last between three to twelve weeks, although this will depend on what part of the spine has been operated on. Recovery time will also depend on the extent of the problem, and how quickly you will be able to carry out mobility tasks after you have had the surgery performed.

3. Going into the hospital for back surgery

Although back surgery can often be a daunting prospect for many people, it is a common procedure that has been successfully carried out on many individuals across the country. A hospital stay can be as short as a week, although this will depend on the severity of the condition.

4. Making arrangements

Regardless of the length of stay in hospital, there may be a number of arrangements that you will need to make prior to spending time in hospital, for example asking someone to look after the house or any pets you might have, or to organize alternative working arrangements whilst you are recovering. You will need to rest for the first few days after your procedure, and you will normally be given medicine to combat any pain that you are experiencing after the operation.

5. Rehabilitation after the procedure

Your pain medication will be adjusted in the days after the operation, and any tubes that were inserted into you will soon be removed. Soon enough you will be asked to get up from the hospital bed and walk around the ward – under the supervision of a nurse or other trained medical professional. You will also be able to eat normally after your bowels have started to function correctly again. Ongoing rehabilitation will be required in the days and weeks after the surgery, although this will depend on the surgical procedures for back pain that were used.  It is highly recommended to invest in an ergonomic chair, such as a kneeling chair, which will help maintain the integrity of your spine after the procedure.

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As always, be sure to consult, in this case, with multiple medical professionals to get optional opinions on the need for spine surgery.