How to Prepare for Spinal Fusion Surgery
You may be required to get spinal fusion surgery for different reasons. But, the overall goal is the same. Movement at a painful motion segment needs to be stopped. In some cases, spine fusion surgery is scheduled right away. There is not always time to prepare. More often, however, it is elective, and you have time.
Spinal fusion surgery is performed at all levels of the spine. Therefore, including cervical, thoracic, and lumbar sections. The preoperative preparation is the same for all.
GENERAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT
A general health assessment is always done before spinal surgery. Your doctor must evaluate your overall health and order testing. This can include:
- Radiograph for assessment of spinal instability
- Myelogram, MRI, or CT scan to locate nerve compression
- EMG for testing nerve function
These tests can help plan the surgery needed.
ARRANGE FOR ASSISTANCE AFTER SPINAL FUSION SURGERY
After your spine fusion surgery, it will be hard to get around due to limited activity. Both daily activities and occupational tasks will require help. You should make arrangements before the surgery. The extent of assistance will depend on:
- Your age.
- Type of job.
- The amount of help you have at home.
- Nerve function.
It is crucial to discuss this with your surgeon. You need a realistic idea as to when activities can be resumed. You also need to know if any modifications for work will be necessary.
Further assessment is needed for those with pre-existing conditions. This may involve seeing a cardiologist or other specialists.
PREPARE FOR BLOOD LOSS
Blood loss is typically minimal. However, excessive bleeding is a possibility. And you need to be prepared for this. In fact, some medications can increase blood loss, and NSAIDs and aspirin are the most common. However, you must discontinue them before surgery. Consult your doctor about other medications, especially those that affect coagulation.
If extensive blood loss is anticipated, do not fear. Your surgeon can order an autologous blood donation. Therefore, you will give a blood donation for yourself. This can make you anemic. So, you need to start an iron supplement.
MAXIMIZING HEALING AFTER SPINAL FUSION SURGERY
The bone graft not healing is a risk (aka pseudarthrosis.) The factors that can affect this outcome include:
- Poor nutrition
- Osteoporosis
- Severe deformities
- Previous back surgeries
- Medications
- Multiple level spinal fusion surgeries
SMOKING AND SPINE FUSION
Smoking is one of the risk factors you have control over. As a matter of fact, studies show a strong link between smoking and pseudarthrosis. So, nicotine inhibits bone growing cells. This prevents spinal bones from properly fusing. It is best to quit smoking right away, or at least three months before your surgery.
So, if you would like more information on spinal fusion surgery, call us at 888-409-8006. Our top spine specialists are here to help. We offer offices all throughout South Florida.