Spine Surgery Risks and Potential Complications

Category: Health

Are you experiencing back or neck pain due to a spine disorder? Has a doctor recommended spine surgery? Read this blog before you make a decision to become aware of the spine surgery risks and spine surgery potential complications that can arise during or after the operation. What Are The 3 General Categories of Risk with Any Surgery? There are a variety of risks linked with any kind of surgery, let alone spine surgery. Find below the 3 categories of risks commonly associated with spine surgery. Risks of Anaesthesia Almost all spine surgeries necessitate general anaesthesia. Even though all anaesthesia types have some risk involved in them, serious complications & side effects are usually not caused by anaesthesia. The risks also vary as per each individual’s health, type of anaesthesia used, and the body’s response to it. Generally speaking, the risks of anaesthesia include: Sore throat Throat swelling Harsh voice Allergic reaction to medications Nausea & vomiting post-surgery Damage to the teeth/lips Changes in blood pressure Changes in heart rate or rhythm Complications from the breathing tube Seizures Stroke Heart attack Death – very low risk (1 out of 2 lakh patients) Risks of Complications that can occur During the Surgery During spine surgery, there are a few risks of complications that one needs to be aware of. However, it’s important to note that these risks rarely materialise. The risks include: Abnormal bleeding Dural tear & spinal fluid leak Injury to a nerve or spinal cord – low risk (1 out of 5 thousand patients) Injury to anatomical structures near the spine Risks of Complications that can occur After the Surgery There are a wide array of risks of complications that can occur post spine surgery. Following are some of the well-known risks: Persistent pain, numbness or weakness Dural tear & spinal fluid leak Infection in the wound Blood clots in the legs (DVT) Implant and fusion complications Medical complications leading to stroke, heart attack, pneumonia or urinary infection Potential Spine Surgery Complications Let’s get to know some of the potential spine surgery complications in detail: Bleeding A little bit of bleeding during spine surgery is quite normal. Surgeons follow various practices to reduce and control bleeding as much as possible. Having said that, on rare occasions, major blood vessels can get damaged, causing continuous blood loss. Dural Tear A dural tear takes place when a part of the protective covering over the spinal cord gets torn, resulting in cerebrospinal fluid leaking out. In some cases, the surgeon is able to detect the tear during the operation and repairs it straightaway. The majority of the dural tears heal on their own, but in rare instances, they may not heal and cause a spinal headache. Fusion Fails In the case that a spinal fusion doesn’t heal as expected, the condition is termed a ‘nonunion’. A nonunion generally implies that there is motion between the 2 bones which should have been fused together. This undesirable motion can cause pain that might grow in severity over time. Infection Infection after spine surgery is relatively uncommon due to the preventive measures undertaken by surgeons/nurses in the form of antibiotics & sterile procedures to minimise the risk of infection. Nevertheless, an infection might develop in the skin around the incision area and in rare circumstances, the infection may spread deep into the areas surrounding the spinal cord & vertebrae. Nerve & Spinal Cord Damage Modern-age surgical tools have decreased the risk of nerve and spinal cord damage in the form of bruises, cuts, etc. Having said that, the risk remains wherein the damage can occur and lead to pain, paralysis, sexual dysfunction and other sensory & functional symptoms. How is Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression better than Surgery? As the name suggests, the Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is a 100% non-surgical treatment that is completely painless, requires no hospitalisation, medications, or injections, and has zero side effects! Spinal Decompression is a USA patented technology and helps treat various conditions of back, spine and neck pain in just a few weeks’ time. Moreover, it’s highly affordable, provides lifelong relief and has so far helped avoid 3500+ surgeries from India and abroad!! Conclusion Taking into account the wide range of risks and potential complications associated with spine surgery, it’s vital to consider alternative treatment methods that can provide relief without such risks. The Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Treatment is one such treatment method that has proven to be highly successful, helping treat patients across India, South Africa, Iran, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Tanzania & Canada for spinal disorders without any surgery at ANSSI Wellness Centre. Click here to book your appointment at your nearest ANSSI Wellness Centre: 9004726844