Watch Out For These Spinal Surgery Complications
As is the case with all surgical procedures, spine surgery has its own risks. The most common post-surgery risks include anesthetic complications, bleeding, and infection. These complications can become severe and difficult to rectify due to the sensitivity of the region involved: the spine and the spinal cord.
In some instances, surgery may fail to treat your spine condition, making it even worse. Unlike what most patients think, surgery is not the most effective treatment for spinal cord injuries. There are different treatment programs that can be more effective for your condition than surgery.
The Illinois Back Institute offers non-surgical, non-invasive treatments for back pain that come with less risks than surgery. We’ll break down spinal surgery issues you may not be aware of so you can properly consider other ways to treat your spinal problems.
How Can Spinal Surgery Issues Worsen?
To correct post-surgery complications, surgeons may prescribe further surgical procedures. Subsequent surgeries might not fully rectify the condition. It is agonizing enough to undergo a single surgery, but subsequent surgeries will only get worse. There is the mental anguish, physical pain, wasted time and productivity during recovery and the huge sums of money you will have to pay.
Before resorting to spine surgery for treatment of any spinal cord injury, you should understand the risks and complications that may arise. Although modern medical technology has reduced the risks of post-surgery complications, it has not entirely eliminated them. Many patients still end up with complications after going under the knife. Studies show that approximately 25% of patients who undergo spine surgery develop complications.
Complications of Spinal Surgery To Look Out For
Below are some of the complications associated with spine surgery:
Spinal Cord Injury
When you undergo spine surgery, there is a risk of your spinal cord being damaged even further. The spinal cord links the brain with the rest of the body. Injury to any part of the spinal cord can lead to some form of paralysis since the brain will not be able to coordinate its functions properly.
Body Hardware Malfunction
By hardware, we are referring to artificial support structures such rods, plates, and screws. These work to help in aligning your vertebrae. While they may work to avoid spinal surgery complications, they can also cause them.
At times, the hardware may slip out of place, loosen or break after surgery. When this happens, repeat surgery will have to be done to rectify, replace, or remove the hardware before they cause even more problems.
Anesthesia Complications
Before spine surgery is carried out, you must be put to sleep using general anesthesia. General anesthesia is a combination of medications administered intravenously and anesthetic gases. Some patients react negatively to the anesthesia drugs. Negative reactions to the medications can lead to post-surgery complications.
Lung Problems
Another spinal surgery risk of using general anesthesia is lung complications. When a patient is given general anesthesia, he or she is put to sleep and maintained in that state by anesthetic gases. After the operation, the lungs may not pick up normal functionality. The anesthetic gases inhaled may hinder the normal lung functions.
Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction has been linked to spine surgeries where the nerves are affected. Research shows that a percentage of men who undergo spine surgery have difficulty, primarily caused by damage to the plexus nerve.
The Dangers of Spinal Surgery
The above risks are some of the complications that can occur after spine surgery. There are a number of alternative treatments for back pain that can help you. It is important to discuss with your doctor any options you have apart from surgery. Regardless of your back condition, surgery should only be resorted to when other treatment methods or programs have been found out to be ineffective in providing relief.
No Drugs. No Surgery. No Pain! Contact the Illinois Back Institute Today.
The Illinois Back Institute has found a better way. We’ve developed a non-surgical, natural treatment to live pain-free. Functional Disc Stabilization™ does the impossible by rehydrating discs, reversing the effects of herniated and degenerated discs. In a formal research study, Progressive Disc Rejuvenation has been proven to improve 100% of patients. If you are suffering from chronic back pain and want to avoid surgery, set up a FREE Consultation here. You have nothing to lose but pain.
