In the vast majority of cases, doctors try numerous conservative approaches to treating a problem before they suggest spinal surgery. That is certainly true at Dr. Keppler & Associates, however, sometimes our experts determine that surgical intervention is the best way to help you regain mobility and enjoy a higher quality of life.
Why your spine matters so much
Your spine plays a crucial and unique role in how your body functions. Like any other part of your skeleton, it helps you remain upright. Like other joints in your body, those of your spine provide you with incredible mobility.
If your spine was a solid bone like your femur, you couldn’t twist and bend in the same way your vertebrae allow. If you consider all the ways your spine moves, it’s pretty amazing. You can bend down, from side-to-side, backwards, and you can twist, too. Your spine is incredibly mobile!Yet, at the same time, your spine is also a hollow column, with each vertebrae and disc wrapping around and protecting your spinal cord, which functions like a superhighway for the signals going to and from your brain.
In many instances, we can help you strengthen the muscles and connective tissues that support your spine and solve issues. We may also suggest injections, or taking time to heal, or many other interventions to help resolve your problem. Sometimes surgery is the best solution to keep your spine strong and mobile.
Common types of spinal surgery
Spinal surgery can help repair fractures and strengthen weak vertebrae, release pressure on the spinal cord, remove discs that have ruptured or become compressed on one side, fuse two vertebrae together when the disc must be removed, along with multiple other issues.
Some of the types of surgery include:
- Vertebroplasty
- Kyphoplasty
- Laminectomy, or decompression
- Discectomy
- Foraminotomy
- Nucleoplasty
- Spinal fusion
What you need to know
In addition to understanding your problem and why surgery is the best way to correct it, you may be wondering what you should expect after your surgery. Will you have pain? How can you manage pain if you do have it? Should you rest or try to move around?
To some degree those questions depend on whether you have minimally invasive surgery, which involves very small incisions or traditional surgery with a larger incision. Our providers use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible because you heal faster, have less risk of infection, and less pain.
You will need some recovery time, so you’ll need to schedule days off work and arrange for someone to help you. The length of your recovery depends on many factors, including the type of surgery you have and your overall health.
We can help you understand your options for managing any pain you have following the surgery, and we can provide guidance on how much you should move and when during the process. You most likely will need some physical therapy during your recovery to help you regain strength and range of motion safely.
If you have specific questions about your situation and what you should expect regarding your own surgery, schedule an appointment at Dr. Keppler & Associates. We’re always happy to answer questions in the context of your specific circumstances.
