Numerous diseases, injuries, or conditions could trigger issues with your spine. Besides, your spine is inter-connected to numerous muscle groups throughout the body; hence, spinal disorders can affect almost any portion of the body. Even slight spine issues could have a significant influence on your life quality. If your spinal abnormalities are severe, surgery might be necessary to treat them. However, do not try to self-diagnose your issue; consult a practitioner with the training and skills to provide an accurate diagnosis. At Vertrae®, certified neurosurgeon Kamal Woods, MD, provides cutting-edge spine surgery treatments, including cervical fusion, cervical laminectomy, and cervical disc replacement. Read on to find out more about Dayton spine surgery and learn how to determine if it is the right option for you.
When Should You Think About Having Spine Surgery?
Any surgical procedure has the possibility of complications. Therefore, you should only have surgery if the advantages outweigh the drawbacks. Of course, you should still seek medical advice, but here are seven basic indicators that it is time to contemplate spine surgery:
1) You Are Unable to Function Normally
As you age, you should anticipate losing some mobility. Nonetheless, if your spinal concerns prevent you from working normally, it might be a symptom of more significant complications. If this is the case, surgery might be necessary to alleviate the issues.
2) Your Life Quality is Affected
Spinal disorders may impede your capacity to engage in life by causing pain and reducing function. It is time to see a professional if your spinal issues are harming your wellbeing.
3) Other Solutions Have Failed
Only a small percentage of physicians would propose spinal surgery without first trying noninvasive options. If conservative therapy has failed to improve your condition, surgery may be necessary.
4) You Have Sustained A Serious Injury
In most circumstances, you will have sufficient time to weigh your treatment alternatives and make a well-informed decision about spinal surgery. Whenever practicable, most patients and doctors want to avoid surgery, although this is not always feasible. In the circumstances involving catastrophic injury, patients might necessitate immediate spinal surgery.
5) Your Situation is Rapidly Deteriorating
Osteoporosis, for instance, is a progressive spinal disorder that worsens over time. If you have a chronic illness, you should constantly talk to an expert to keep track of your progress. During these sessions, ensure you discuss any potential treatments, including surgery, with your specialist. Suppose your condition deteriorates suddenly, you will be prepared to decide depending on your doctor’s information.
6) You Have Developed A Deformity
Severe curvatures of the spine are common in spinal abnormalities such as kyphosis and scoliosis. Braces and physical therapy are frequently used to address these disorders in their early stages. However, if the problem has progressed too far, you might need surgery.
7) You Are Experiencing Nerve Damage Symptoms
If your spinal issue triggers nerve damage, you might become permanently incapacitated. Check for prevalent warning signs of nerve damage, including numbness and tingling in your legs. If you are experiencing intense symptoms like bowel or bladder incontinence, you must contact a doctor right away.
At the practice, Dr. Woods can accurately assess your condition and advise you on whether or not you need surgery. When you learn that you might require spinal surgery, you may experience a spectrum of emotions, including the hope that you can finally enjoy pain relief, fear of the process and recovery, and bewilderment on your next course of action. Worry no more as Vertrae® is here to walk you through the journey. Schedule an initial consultation through mobile or book online today.