Spinal Stenosis Surgery and Conservative Treatment Methods

Spinal stenosis surgery can be a viable treatment option, but most doctors do not recommend surgery to patients at first. Conservative treatment is usually first attempted when patients are initially diagnosed with spinal stenosis. These nonsurgical efforts work to minimize pain and other symptoms in many cases, but there are always those times in which this course of treatment will do little or no good for patients. When non-surgical treatments are ineffective, surgery is usually considered, and patients may begin to think of surgery as a realistic treatment option. However, it is important to note that spinal stenosis surgery is almost always a procedure elected by the patient in an attempt to overcome frustrating symptoms. Only very rarely will an emergency situation occur because of spinal stenosis - like cauda equina syndrome - in which immediate surgery is required to avoid severe consequences like paralysis.

Get a Second Opinion Beforehand

Surgery, especially spinal stenosis surgery, is always something to think hard about. When considering undergoing an operation, opinions of those you trust can have a great impact on your decision. Even If your doctor highly recommends it for you, don't go jumping right into elective surgery. Also, if your doctor is strongly against it, don't immediately think that elective surgery isn't for you. Receive another opinion, or even several more, before you make an ultimate decision about surgery. And, even though they may not be medical professionals, discuss the possibility of surgery with close friends and family and how it could affect them.

The Surgery Itself

Once you've made the decision to pursue surgery, you will probably be wondering what to expect next. Spinal stenosis surgery can mean many different things for different people because each case of stenosis has its own underlying cause, and no cases are exact matches. All surgeries are going to include some form sedation, an incision, and a recovery period. Open back surgery usually calls for general anesthesia, a large incision, a hospital stay, and a lengthy recovery process. Endoscopic spine surgery, the minimally invasive alternative to open spine surgery, entails local anesthesia and deep IV sedation, an incision no larger than an inch in length, and a recovery period of about four to six weeks. Do some home research on these surgical approaches, and exhaust your other treatment options before deciding what's best for your unique situation.