Que.: When to seek medical advice

Ans.: Most back pain gradually improves with home treatment and self-care. Although it may take several weeks before it completely disappears, you should notice some improvement within the first 72 hours of self-care. If not, see your doctor.

In rare cases, back pain can signal a serious medical problem. See a doctor immediately if your back pain:

• Is constant or intense, especially when lying down or at night
• Spreads down one or both legs
• Causes weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs
• Causes new bowel or bladder problems
• Is associated with abdominal pain or pulsation (throbbing), or fever
• Follows a fall, blow to your back or other injury
• Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss

Also, see your doctor if this is new pain and you're older than age 50 or have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, steroid use, or drug or alcohol abuse.

Que.: In what position will I be on the operating table?

Ans.: During surgery you will be positioned on a curved table, so that you are face downwards as if on a hump backed "bridge", in order to expose the spine as much as possible for easier access by the surgeon.

Que.:  What level of awareness will I feel?

Ans.: You will be sedated. This is not like a general anesthetic where you are totally unaware of all around you. It is similar to being in a dream-like/half aware state.

Que.:  Will I be awake during surgery and will I be able to feel pain?

Ans.: You will be aware of other people around you and of the surgeon asking you questions. This awareness is not the same as being fully awake. It is more like a dulling of the senses and being half asleep. You will not be able to feel the probe or any other instruments in your body. You will be able to answer questions put to you about where the stimulus is felt in your body. This is not a sharp pain, but an awareness of discomfort.

Que.: How long will the operation take?

Ans.: This depends very much on the type of surgery you are having and you should ask your surgeon about this. Your awareness will be of going into the operating theatre and waking up sometime later. The events whilst in the operating theatre feel like a dream. Whilst sedated you will have very little concept of time.

Que.:  Is the benefit of the surgery felt immediately? Is the pain relief total? Will there be residual pain?

Ans.: The effects of the surgery are immediately noticeable. When you wake up the sensations of pain and numbness previously felt will be noticeably different and may well have disappeared altogether.

Que.:  How active will I be after the operation? How long is the recovery period?
Ans.: You will be encouraged to walk about as soon as you wake up and to undertake a guided exercise program to improve your mobility. The length of time to full recovery will depend on you. You will be able to help yourself by taking care of your diet and building up your stamina. It is important to keep moving as much as possible. Keep things in perspective. If you have been inactive for a long period of time prior to the operation you will need to build up your program of exercise steadily so that your muscles do not fatigue.

More Medical Questions:

Que.:  Why should we use the seal on the endoscope?

Ans.: This keeps the water pressure up in the working zone and allows bleeding to be controlled, pinpointed and then sealed by radiofrequency or Laser energy

Que.: Should we always work within the sheath?

Ans.: Initially yes, but as experience is gained then once the position of the nerve has been identified and protected by the working sheath, then you can advance beyond the working sheath with endoscope. This allows you to utilize the benefits of the elliptical shape of the endoscope for entry through small foramina and in to settled discs.

Que.: What tricks do you use to control bleeding?
Ans.: Raise the water pressure in the working zone. Rotate the sheath until the shoulders press on the bleeding point and keep the pressure on this point. When bleeding has been controlled for over 30 seconds, gently rotate the tube backwards to display the vessel and then seal it formally.

For Detailed Dossier on Spinal Surgery, please write to us at  mktg@mediescapes.com