If you have ever had back pain or back surgery, then you know the pain can be life altering. It just gets in the way, it hurts, and you just want some relief now. I have personally known two people who have surgical steel rods implanted into their spine. This was not an easy process for them. The mere thought of either dealing with chronic back pain or having to have back surgery of any kind can take its toll. Back pain is not only physically challenging but can be an emotional roller-coaster as well. Chronic back pain can be one of the most agonizing and debilitating afflictions the human body can endure. Below are five tips to minimize failed back surgery and continued back pain.
First, it is essential that you know, trust and understand your diagnosis. Many pains look alike. A proper diagnosis is crucial to getting the appropriate treatment for your problem. For example, if you had Multiple Sclerosis but were diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, your treatment would not work and possibly make your pain worse. The same goes for back surgery, if you are treated for the wrong problem, the results are likely to do nothing or possibly even make the situation worse.
Second, make sure you feel confident in your surgeon. Make a list of questions about your procedure, his or her experience with this surgery, and anything else that may be on your mind. If you have any questions unanswered, get the answers before putting yourself through any type of surgery or invasive treatment. If for any reason you do not feel comfortable with your diagnosis, a second opinion would be appropriate. Always trust your gut, and do not be afraid to ask questions. Get to know your doctor. A knowledgeable and trustworthy surgeon should be happy to answer any inquiries that you have with confidence, ease, and professionalism.
Third, know the statistics of your procedure. Granted just because the probability of your surgery being successful is high, it does not guarantee that it will work. However, if the success rate is high, it will give you the confidence to know that it has worked for others many times in the past. On the other hand, if the percentage of successful surgeries is low, maybe it’s a fairly new surgery that needs perfecting or is experimental,and then you may want to weigh the pros and cons of undergoing the procedure.
Next, you must understand that there is always rehabilitation after surgery. You need to know the surgeon’s plan for you and think about how dedicated you are to adhering to rehabilitation. If you do not follow protocol post surgery, then everything you just went through could potentially fail. Make sure that you are ready to deal with all aspects of the surgery.
Lastly, get all of your ducks in a row. As difficult as it sounds, avoid stress at all costs. Make sure you are mentally prepared for the surgery and you have the required time off of work for proper rehabilitation.
Back surgery is not to be taken lightly. If you follow these five steps that are outlined above, then you are well on your way to effective pain relief.
