What Treatment is Right for You?
After struggling with chronic back pain for years, there's a new spinal product on the market that can finally provide the relief you've been seeking. And this new treatment option will be the perfect solution for your back pain. Right? Well, not exactly.
There are many types of spinal products and surgical techniques, but they aren't equally effective for everyone. That's because factors such as your individual symptoms and diagnosis play a significant role in which product is best for you.
Before you make a decision, we have put together a few tips to help you evaluate various spinal technologies and procedures.
Keep an Open Mind
Once you have heard of a new technology, it's okay to ask your doctor if you are a candidate. But try not to become immediately fixed on a new treatment option, or you may deny yourself the chance to obtain a complete perspective and possibly the most appropriate treatment for your specific symptoms.
Ask Lots of Questions
In order to learn more about your spinal surgery options, it can be helpful to create a list of questions for your doctor. You could even involve a friend or family member in this process.
Here are some questions to get you started:
- What are all of my options?
- What is the most common procedure for my diagnosis?
- Based on my diagnosis, what procedure is best for me?
- What do we know long term about the procedure for my symptoms?
- Am I the right type of candidate for the procedure?
- Does my diagnosis match up with what the procedure is designed and approved for?
- What type of surgical approach is used?
- Where will the scar be and how large will it be?
- What will the type of surgical approach mean for my recovery?
- What has been the outcome for your patients who have had this procedure, and how long have you been performing it?
- What if I want to choose a procedure you don't think is best for me?
- What are the risks of having the wrong procedure?
Build a Relationship with Your Doctor
After you have found a doctor you feel comfortable with, it is important to develop a strong doctor-patient relationship so that you can trust their advice and assessment. Tell your doctor what you think and feel about each of your surgical options. Discuss the risks, benefits and alternative procedures. Ideally, you want to rely on your doctor's judgment. If you don't feel comfortable with your doctor's recommendation, get a second opinion.
Research All the Options
Take some time to learn about different surgical options - even if you don't like them at first. Ask your surgeon if he has some informational brochures on various procedures. And visit Internet sites used by doctors as they contain professional journal articles and more technical information.
As you start to look for information, remember a few things:
- Not all information about a particular condition will apply to your situation.
- Double check information by visiting different web sites, or by researching your topic in several magazines or reference books.
- Even though a product is new to the United States, it may have been used for years in another country. You might explore how successful the treatment has been in other parts of the world.
Connect with Other Patients
Before you decide to have spinal surgery, it may be helpful for you to talk with patients who have had the type of surgery you are considering. Ask your doctor if he can arrange a conversation between you and another spinal surgery patient. Or, consider interacting with patients and organizations on the Internet. There are many health message boards where patients share information about their spinal surgeries. These work like an electronic bulletin board - where you post messages or questions for other visitors to read.
As you read this please keep in mind that all treatment and outcome results are specific to the individual patient. Results may vary. Complications, such as infection, blood loss, or nerve damage are some of the potential adverse risks of spinal surgery. Please consult your physician for a complete list of indications, warnings, precautions, adverse events, clinical results, and other important medical information.
The materials on this Web site are for your general educational information only. Information you read on this Web site cannot replace the relationship that you have with your health care professional. We do not practice medicine or provide medical services or advice as a part of this Web site. You should always talk to your health care professional for diagnosis and treatment.
