Get the Facts About Surgery

If you are diagnosed with a spinal condition and your physician recommends surgery, there are several things you should know and do before scheduling a procedure.

1. Build a Relationship with Your Doctor
After you have found a doctor you feel comfortable with, it is important to develop a strong doctor-patient relationship so that you can trust their advice and assessment. Tell your doctor what you think and feel about each of your surgical options. Discuss the risks, benefits and alternative procedures. Ideally, you want to rely on your doctor's judgment. If you don't feel comfortable with your doctor's recommendation, get a second opinion.

2. Connect with Other Patients
Before you decide to have spinal surgery, it may be helpful for you to talk with patients who have had the type of surgery you are considering. Ask your doctor if he can arrange a conversation between you and another spinal surgery patient. Or, consider interacting with patients and organizations on the Internet. There are many health message boards where patients share information about their spinal surgeries. These work like an electronic bulletin board - where you post messages or questions for other visitors to read. However, always keep in mind that everyone is different and the results of one patient (even with the same physician) may not be the same for you.

3. Ask Lots of Questions
In order to learn more about your spinal surgery options, it can be helpful to create a list of questions for your doctor. You could even involve a friend or family member in this process.

Here are some questions to get you started:

• What are all of my options?
• Based on my diagnosis, what procedure is best for me?
• Am I the right type of candidate for the procedure?
• What type of surgical approach is used?
• Where will the scar be and how large will it be?
• What will the type of surgical approach mean for my recovery?
• What has been the outcome for your patients who have had this procedure, and how long have you been performing it?
• What if I want to choose a procedure you don't think is best for me?
• What are the risks of having the wrong procedure?

We have even more options for you in our list of questions to ask your surgeon.

The materials on this Web site are for your general educational information only. Information you read on this Web site cannot replace the relationship that you have with your health care professional. We do not practice medicine or provide medical services or advice as a part of this Web site. You should always talk to your health care professional for diagnosis and treatment.

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