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Overview

Understanding the Procedure

Candidates for surgery face many decisions. It is important to understand the procedure, the potential benefits, any risks, and what to expect from the surgery. Understanding the procedure can reduce one's anxiety and offer realistic expectations.

In the medical world of today, the patient is at the center of the decisionmaking process. With help from your doctor, it is your decision whether to have spine surgery. Yet, making this decision can be overwhelming. A good place to begin is to understand why you may need surgery, what specific type of surgery is required, and what the impact will be on you and your family.

If You Decide To Have Surgery

While the surgeon focuses on finding and correcting the problem in your spine, you should concentrate on the recovery process. Although it may not be easy, you will benefit considerably if you get yourself in the best health possible before your operation. Eating healthier foods, giving up smoking, and working towards a healthier lifestyle may speed your recovery.

Remember, if you are not sure about something, it's okay to ask. Your healthcare team is there to answer your questions. You should be clear on these issues:

- What kind of surgery do you need? As there are many ways to perform spine surgery, the type of procedure chosen will have a significant impact on your hospital course and recovery time.

- Do you need a fusion? The primary reason a fusion is performed is to provide stability to the spine, by making two separate bones grow together which eliminates motion between them. As movement is a natural function of the spine, surgeons will try to prevent this movement if the motion between the two segments of the spine is the source of your pain. (This often occurs if your spine has degenerated to the extent that any motion is painful or a correction of a deformity of the spine is needed.)

- Do you need hardware? Spine hardware is designed to stabilize the spine until a bony fusion can form. Hardware is only used when a fusion between two or more segments of the spine is the surgical procedure's goal.

We hope the information in these sections provides you with information on how spinal problems occur, how spinal conditions affect you, and how you can prepare for your journey towards health and recovery.