What to Expect from Spinal Pinched Nerve Surgery
In the event that you choose to undergo spinal pinched nerve surgery because several weeks or months of conservative treatments have proven ineffective, it's important that you talk with your doctor about how to prepare for surgery and what to expect after surgery. For example, know that you will likely not experience instant relief after the operation, especially if you undergo a highly invasive procedure like spinal fusion. In fact, after being released from the hospital, you should expect to feel worse before you feel better. This does not necessarily mean that the operation was unsuccessful - you simply need to be patient, stay in close communication with your doctor, and give your body the time it needs to heal.
Helpful Tips to Prepare for Pinched Nerve Surgery
While each doctor will prescribe a different regimen for preoperative preparation, below are some tips that may prove helpful:
- Ask your doctor as many questions about the actual procedure as you need to in order to feel comfortable with your future surgery. Be sure you're aware of all possible risks.
- Manage your medications. Ask if there are any medications you should stop taking prior to surgery, or if there are any prescriptions for post-operative medication that you should get filled prior to the operation.
- Arrange for transportation to and from your operation. Try to get a timeline from your doctor about how long he or she predicts you will need to remain in the hospital after the operation and schedule accordingly.
- Make a list of the various activities that you perform on a day-to-day basis, like grocery shopping, walking the dog, watering flowers, or picking up your children or grandchildren from school. If you will be unable to take part in these activities directly after the surgery, enlist friends, neighbors, and family members to help with the tasks while you're on the mend.
Forming a Post-Surgical Support System
Inform the people close to you that you're about to undergo spinal pinched nerve surgery. While this may seem intuitive, many patients choose to keep their medical situation private so as not to seem like a burden to others. However, being surrounded by a support system that you trust is imperative to the recovery process. Not only will you need assistance with transportation and basic tasks, but you'll also need emotional support, an open ear, and a shoulder to lean on. |
