Common Risks Associated with Back SurgeryBack surgery itself is not as risky as many people may think. There is a reason that it is trained professionals performing your surgery, and not just any person off the street. But as with any surgery, there are some risks that come along with it. Back surgery is extremely safe, and great care is taken to ensure that this is true for each and every patient, but things can go wrong. A lot of the risk in back surgery can be traced back to each individual person. It has a lot to do with your body specifically and what you put into it. It is so important to be completely honest about medications you are taking as well as allergies that you may have in order to have a successful and safe surgery. Your surgeon and their staff need to know what to expect so that there are no unexpected reactions or complications during or after surgery. Listed below are some of the risks associated with back surgery. Reaction to drugs This can include both the anesthesia and the aftercare medications. Common reactions to anesthesia include things like nausea and vomiting, headaches and other types of body pain. In very uncommon cases it can cause death. However, an adverse reaction to anesthesia is very uncommon. To avoid having a reaction to the anesthesia or other drugs, it is important that you are honest with your doctor about what other medications you are taking, so that reactions between these medications can be determined. Infection As with any surgery, the risk of infection is high if you do not properly care for your wounds. This is why it is very important that you make it to all of your after care appointments and make sure that you clearly understand the instructions for aftercare at home. Blood clots Blood clots can form in the lower extremities after back surgery. These clots can increase in size and cause pain and swelling in the affected areas. If these clots go unchecked, they can cause some serious circulation problems. Blood clots can lead to other serious health problems if they go unchecked (i.e. heart attack, stroke, etc.) so it is important to get checked out by a doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of clots. Recurrent disc herniation This occurs in patients who have a large lack of mobility. This is why it is so important to keep up with your rehabilitation exercises and make sure that you are doing you best to stay moving during your recovery phase of the surgery. Nerve damage Depending on where your back surgery is taking place, this can be a huge risk. Nerve damage and include things like loss of bladder control, weakness, inability to walk, etc. Some nerve damage may not be permanent and your surgeon is trained to do his/her best to prevent any damage from occurring. It is very important to mention any symptoms of nerve damage to your after care provider.
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