Spinal Surgery for Scoliosis: Important Questions Answered
ShareScoliosis is a condition that can develop early in life. It means that the spine is not straight. Instead, it curves to the side and can cause discomfort for the person who has it. If you have scoliosis and the pain from it has started getting worse, spinal surgery may be the best method of treatment. An orthopedic surgeon could complete the necessary surgery to prevent deformities and relieve the crippling pain.
What Occurs During the Spinal Surgery?
The orthopedic surgeon may need to complete a spinal fusion to treat your scoliosis. During the procedure, the goal is to support the spine with the addition of permanent rods that get placed around the spine. Rather than curving off to the side, the rods would give the spine support to keep it straight like it should be. The surgical rods used are usually made from stainless steel material and act as a brace to keep the spine in place. The orthopedic surgeon will focus carefully on all areas of the spine when performing this procedure to ensure that it gets done correctly.
How Long is the Spinal Surgery Going to Take?
When performing this surgical procedure, it can take the orthopedic surgeon around six hours to complete. While this may seem long, it is necessary because of the work involved, especially when handling something as sensitive and vital as the spine. You will not experience any discomfort while the surgery is happening because an anesthesiologist will ensure that you receive the proper amount of sedation beforehand.
What Is the Aftermath Like?
The aftermath of the spinal surgery involves the recovery process. It can end up taking at least three months for you to recover from this surgery because you need to have more than enough time to heal. Over the next several months, you may be unable to go to work while you work on recovering. You may need to start visiting a physical therapist who will work with you on different movements and exercises to complete to improve your mobility and get back to your daily activities. While it takes time to recover, the spinal surgery may be just what you need to no longer suffer from the severe pain associated with scoliosis.
Spinal surgery can help those with scoliosis. If your condition causes you to experience a lot of pain each day, an orthopedic surgeon can perform a spinal fusion to adjust the spine and keep it supported. For more information about spinal surgery, contact a local practice like https://www.towncenterorthopaedics.com/.