At Frisco Spine, our primary focus is always on the patient. All patients should be aware that surgical treatment for back pain and neck pain carry some degree of risk. Thankfully these surgical risks can be reduced thanks to proper pre-op planning, proper surgical techniques, and diligent post-op care.
We feel that patients should be made aware of all potential surgical risks in order for them to receive the best care possible, and to help ensure that they can make informed decisions about their surgical options. With that in mind, let’s discuss some risks and complications of spinal cord surgery.
Issues with Anesthesia
Anesthetic errors are a potential risk in all major surgeries. This could mean improper administration of the anesthesia or a patient experiencing an allergic reaction to the anesthesia. All precautions are taken to ensure that the right amount of anesthetic will be used and that patients are not allergic to any items that may be used as part of the surgical procedure.
Post-Surgical Infection
Infection is also a potential risk in all types of surgery. Thankfully the risk of surgery is very low these days thanks to modern techniques and the latest in sterilization practices. In addition, patients are given detailed instructions on post-surgical care so they can keep surgical sites clean as they heal.
Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)
Deep venous thrombosis refers to blood clots forming in a patient’s legs. It’s a major point of concern following many different kinds of surgery and is the result of your body responding to surgery and attempting to heal. If a blood clot forms in the legs, it can lead to serious swelling and discomfort. More serious issues may occur if the blood clot is dislodged and travels through your circulatory system.
Pulmonary Embolism and Issues with Your Lungs
One example of a major issue caused by blood clots is a pulmonary embolism. This refers to cases in which a blood clot winds up in the lungs. The clot can potentially clog the blood vessels of the lung, cutting off the blood supply and increasing the risk of a collapsed lung. Numerous respiratory issues may occur as a result.
To prevent DVT, pulmonary embolism, and other issues related to blood clots, patients are often instructed to walk in small or moderate amounts as part of healing in order to promote blood circulation and prevent clots from forming.
General Surgical Failure
Sometimes a spinal fusion procedure or a treatment to address spinal pressure winds up being unsuccessful. In other words, the surgery fails to achieve its aim and a patient’s wellness and mobility is not improved. Back pain may persist and the patient will require additional or corrective surgery to address these matters.
Spinal Cord Damage
Perhaps the most serious risk of surgery is an error during the procedure that results in further damage or harm to the vertebrae and/or spinal cord. Thankfully these kinds of complications are very rare, and our experienced team of specialists are not prone to these dire kinds of issues.
Contact the Team at Frisco Spine
For more information about spinal cord surgery and what you can do to have a healthy back and proper mobility, be sure to contact our team of brain and spine surgeons today. The team at Frisco Spine looks forward to your visit and helping you achieve total wellness.
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