Spine Surgery Treatment Specialists in New Jersey

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When should I consider spine surgery?

It may be time to consider spine surgery if you’ve exhausted your conservative treatment options. Your treatment may have included physical therapy, steroid injections, nerve blocks, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), lifestyle changes, among others. If these conservative options have not removed or reduced your pain over several months, spine surgery might be the next step.

Surgical intervention may also be necessary in emergency situations, often following injury or trauma, like a car accident. Untreated chronic conditions can also worsen to warrant emergency treatment. These emergencies may be marked by “red flag” symptoms, such as:

• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Severe pain
• Numbness or loss of sensation in the lower extremities
• Unexplained weight loss
• Night sweats or fever

Spine surgery is often the last resort. With that being said, it can also be the best option. By correcting a problem at its root cause, there is less of a guessing game as to whether a certain treatment will work for your pain.

Minimally invasive spine surgery

Advances in medical technology have allowed many spine conditions to be treated with minimally invasive techniques. Traditionally, spine surgery was done as open surgery, involving long incisions so the surgeon could see and get to the spine. Minimally invasive spine surgery uses tiny incisions and computer-assisted image guidance so your surgeon can view the spine clearly, avoiding the movement of muscles and tissues. Less manipulation of the surrounding structures leads to shorter operative time, which also results in less operative pain and a quicker recovery.

What are the risks of spine surgery?

Spine surgery can carry a higher risk than other types of surgery because of the close proximity to the central nervous system, which controls most functions of the body. If complications occur, the effects can be very serious. Complications could involve pain after surgery, impairment or paralysis, or the need for additional surgery.

By choosing only the most experienced spine surgeons, you can lessen the risk of surgical complications. Prior to your surgery, your surgeon will explain the possible risks of your specific procedure.

What is recovery like after spine surgery?

Recovery time depends on the procedure. In general, you should be able to return to your normal routine after six weeks. The severity of your condition, pre-surgery activity level, and age can affect this number. Spine surgeries like a laminectomy or spinal fusion that require more healing of the spine may require a longer recovery period. Utilizing minimally invasive surgical techniques can affect your recovery time, as the less-invasive nature of these surgeries means a shorter recovery period. Most patients will experience pain relief immediately following surgery, but it’s normal to experience some additional pain as your spine heals. A pain management specialist at Redefine Healthcare will work with you to create a plan for managing your pain throughout recovery, which may include. Physical therapy may also be a part of your treatment plan in order for you to regain strength and range of motion. Whatever your recovery plan entails, Redefine Healthcare is proud to play an active role in your post-surgical rehabilitation as a multidisciplinary orthopedic practice, offering physical therapy, chiropractic, pain management, and mental health services.

The spine team at Redefine Healthcare can help you decide if surgery is the best choice after exhausting all other options. When it is necessary, it should be as minimally invasive as possible. Talking to a spine surgeon at Redefine Healthcare doesn’t mean you’re committing to spine surgery. Instead, it’s a chance to learn more about your options! Schedule a consultation to learn more about the spine procedures we perform and to determine if they’re right for you.