What You Should Know about Lower Back Surgery Risks

B efore anyone thinks of undergoing a spinal injury, his/her surgeon should inform him/her of possible lower back surgery risks. Lower back pains can be remedied using simple home remedies like physical therapy and prescription of antibiotics by a doctor. However, severe cases may require a surgical operation. The benefits of a lower back risk surgery include pain relief, stable vertebra column, and proper alignment of dislocated vertebrae discs. One may face various types of risk one may face during and after a lower back surgery. Spinal cord injury may happen during the surgical operation. Nerves located at the point of the incision may get injuries resulting in paralysis of the body part served by these nerves. Chronic and continued pain after surgery is another risk one may face. It is expected that one will experience some pain but in a case of severe unending pain. One may have to seek further medication. There is also the risk of transition syndrome. Since the nerve system works like a chain, when one part of the nervous system is not functioning properly, it transfers its workload to the adjacent parts hence overloading .in the long run, the overloaded parts experience increased tear and wear. Eventually, it results in pains in the damaged part. Pseudoarthrosis is another type of lower back surgery risks. It refers to a fraction bone that has not healed. Bone that or unsuccessful fusion. The implication of this is that there is movement between bones that are supposed to be fused. If the parts do not heal, there is continued pain that may increase over time. Another surgery may be required to reassemble the bones or a new graft implanted. Another cause of concern is fracture hardware. The metal screws, rods, and plates used as part of the surgical process may break due to external pressure. The implants might also move from the correct position. A hardware fracture will result in increased pain. The surgeon will be required to remove the breakage or move the dislodged part back to its proper place. An infection may occur at the point of incision. The infection may affect the skin only and is less severe. However if the infection becomes swollen and red heart, it is more complicated and will result in increased pain. Deep infection may ooze out clear liquid or yellow pus, which may smell bad. Thrombophlebitis is another risk that may arise out of lower back surgery. The term refers to blood clotting. Blood clotting is a phenomenon where blood clumps in the arteries and veins. The primary cause for thrombophlebitis is the fact that the body is very active in preventing bleeding associated with surgery. The blood clots cause pain and swelling on the affected leg. The worst danger comes when some of the clots break and are carried along by blood to the lungs. Upon arrival in the lungs, they will block portions of the lung often resulting in chronic pneumonia. In severe cases, it will cause death. There are other risks associated with lower back surgery. One of them is anaesthesia or artificial sleep induction. The anaesthesia process is done using various types of medication. Side effects related to these drugs might be fatally ensure one enjoys a happy, healthy life it is of crucial importance to seek a qualified surgeon who has experience in spinal surgeries. It is highly beneficial to take precautionary measures to reduce lower back surgery risks. [Photo: flickr.com]