We understand that having surgery can make people feel anxious and nervous. If you are scheduled to have spinal surgery, one way to relieve your anxiety is to ask questions and learn all you can about the procedure.
The following list, based on information from the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, are questions you should ask your doctor before you have surgery:
1. What type of spine surgery are you recommending?
There are many different types of spine surgery. Ask your surgeon to explain the procedure and describe to you exactly what is going to be done. Other questions to ask:
Where in the spinal column will the surgery take place?
Will the surgery be done from the front (anteriorly) or the back (posteriorly)?
Will any instrumentation (spinal hardware such as screws, plates, or rods designed to help stabilize the spine) be used?
Will a bone graft be used?
If the bone graft is autograft (supplied by the patient), where does this bone graft come from?
How big will the incision be?
2. Why do I need surgery?
Find out the purpose of the surgery and how it relates to the diagnosis of your spinal condition. Other questions to ask:
Will this procedure relieve pain?
Will this procedure reduce symptoms?
Will this procedure improve function?
3. What are the benefits of having the operation?
Find out what you will gain from the surgery. Ask:
Will I be able to return to work? If so, when?
Will I be able to return to the same job I was doing prior to surgery?
How long will the benefits from this surgery last?
Will I need another operation at a later date?
4. What are the risks of having the operation?
All surgeries carry a risk of complications such as infection, excessive bleeding, reactions to anesthesia, and injury. Ask the following questions to your doctor:
What are the side effects of the surgery?
Will there be swelling, soreness, and/or pain?
How will I manage these side effects?
5. What if I choose not to have this operation?
Will my condition get worse if I choose not to have the surgery?
6. How much experience do you have in performing this surgical procedure?
How many of these surgeries has the surgeon performed?
7. Where will the operation be done?
Where will the procedure be performed?
Will the surgery be performed on an outpatient or inpatient basis?
How long will I be in the hospital?
8. What kind of anesthesia will I need?
Generally these are the three kinds of anesthesia: local, which numbs only part of your body for a short time; regional, which numbs a larger part of the body usually for a longer period of time; and general, which numbs the entire body and allows you to be unconscious for the entire surgery. General anesthesia is usually administered by an anesthesiologist.
9. What will happen when I arrive at the hospital?
When I arrive at the hospital, where do I go? What time do I need to be there?
How long will the operation take to perform?
When will I return to a regular room after the operation?
When will my family be able to see me after the operation?
10. How long will it take me to recover?
How long will it take before I can return to normal activities?
How much pain should I expect?
How long will the pain last?
What pain medications will I receive?
How long will I be on pain medication?
11. What do I need to know when I leave the hospital?
Will I get written discharge instructions?
Do I need to avoid certain activities after I get out of the hospital?
When can I drive, climb stairs, bend, and exercise after being discharged?
Will I need assistance at home after leaving the hospital?
When will my first post-surgical follow-up visit to the surgeon take place?
12. Will I need physical therapy?
Most surgeons will prescribe physical therapy at some point following spinal surgery. Physical therapy usually includes core strengthening exercises, ice and heat therapy, gentle massage, and stretching to decrease pain and increase flexibility. So ask your surgeon:
What type of therapy will I need and for how long?
© 2012 SouthEastern Spine Specialists
