Posted by 
One of the most common surgeries on the back is a disk repair
Needing spinal surgery can be a life threatening experience which is why having only the best spine doctors attending in the operating room I preferable. One of the most common surgeries on the back is a disk repair, usually needed because of a ruptured disk.
A ruptured disk happens when the center of a disk pierces the lining and presses against the nerves found in the spine. This can be a very painful condition affecting the nerves in the leg in addition to the patient’s back. However, the condition is also very treatable with surgery. The cause of the disk rupturing is usually form every day activities, however other causes such as an acute injury from lifting that causes excess pressure on the spine can also make a disk rupture.
Symptoms of this acute or chronic back problem include the feeling of pinched nerves on both the patient’s back, legs and sometimes, even the neck can be affected as well. Other symptoms include numbing and tingling in the outer extremities and swelling in the patient’s back or feet in addition to problems using the bathroom.
Spine doctors recommend surgery for a disk rupture and it is generally the only option. This is because when the disk ruptures, it will eventually pinch a nerve in the back, which is what causes the swelling and pain. While medications may relieve some of the swelling, surgery is the only way to “unpinch” the nerve. The patient will continue to feel pain unless the nerve can be relieved.
Typically, the hardest thing about surgery of any kind is the emotional and psychological effects. The feelings of helplessness of not having the ability to walk or move for some time after the surgery can have a devastating effect, especially for those who are used to being independent.
No matter what the effects of the surgery are, just keep in mind that if surgery was recommended, it is probably the best option, no matter what the risks. Spine doctors do not take performing spinal surgery lightly and have most certainly weighed the risks versus the benefits and decided that the surgery is the best option for relief.
