| If your back pain is chronic then chances are good | | | | your life so make sure you're getting it the best care |
| you've tried all manner of conservative back pain | | | | possible. |
| remedies, stuff like resting, medication, heat or cold | | | | 6) How long can I expect to be in the hospital? |
| therapy, physical therapy, visits to the chiropractor | | | | The answer to this question gives you an idea of |
| and even cortiscosteroid injections. If the back pain | | | | how invasive the procedure really is, plus it will give |
| persists it may be time to consider a more invasive | | | | you an idea of how to plan for other aspects of |
| approach. | | | | your life such as work and family responsibilities. |
| Your primary care physician can help you find the | | | | 7) How long will it take me to recover? |
| right Neurosurgeon for your procedure. Here are | | | | Full recovery from the surgery could potentially take |
| some questions you should ask your surgeon well | | | | longer than your stay in the hospital. Talk this one |
| before your surgery date: | | | | through with your surgeon to get a good idea of the |
| 1) Are there alternatives to surgery? | | | | full extent of recovery, and even some things you |
| You may think you've tried them all, but your | | | | could do to speed recovery. |
| neurosurgeon could have suggestions beyond what | | | | 8) What if I still have back pain after surgery? |
| you've attempted thus far. Further, he's seen your | | | | Be sure to ask this question of any and all |
| type of pain a great deal and may know just the | | | | neurosurgeons you see prior to surgery - it's vital |
| conservative remedy for you. | | | | that you have a road map of the potential lengths |
| 2) What are the risks of this surgery? | | | | you have to go through to achieve relief from your |
| It's important that you know all the long and short | | | | pain. Ideally, should pain persist, you'll be able to |
| term risks that accompany your potential surgery. | | | | relieve it using more conservative methods. |
| This is a tough question to ask but it will help you to | | | | 9) When can I resume normal activities? |
| weigh your decision and it's better to know the risks | | | | This question should give you the final analysis on |
| up front. | | | | how long you'll be out of commission due to the |
| 3) What are the benefits of this surgery? | | | | surgery. Be sure to have a list handy of all the |
| This may sound like an obvious question, but it will | | | | activities that are important to you and go down the |
| help you make sure that the surgeon knows exactly | | | | list with your neurosurgeon to see if there are any |
| what pain you're having and that he's discussing the | | | | special cases that may have longer or shorter wait |
| operation that's best for you. Further, there might be | | | | times. |
| some benefits of the surgery that you don't really | | | | 10) What is your experience with this surgery? |
| need. Talk this one all the way through and help | | | | Make sure you get at both angles of this question... |
| diagnose yourself fully. | | | | You're asking not only how many times your surgeon |
| 4) What will happen if I don't have this surgery? | | | | has performed the operation, but how well the |
| There might be more factors than your continued | | | | operation has achieved its goals over time. Take your |
| back pain. If so, you should know these factors | | | | time with this question and get a thorough answer. |
| before making your final back surgery decision. | | | | You could also consider looking up your doctor's |
| 5) Where can I go for a second opinion? | | | | online profiles to check his experience. Mine are here: |
| This may seem like an odd question, but it's a great | | | | Dr Steven Gelbard (from SpineUniverse.com) and |
| test of your neurosurgeon's mettle. If he's quick to | | | | here Dr Steven Gelbard (HealthGrades). |
| rattle off second opinion options then it's clear that | | | | So there you have it, the top ten questions to ask |
| he's confident in his diagnosis. His confidence should | | | | your neurosurgeon before surgery. I also suggest |
| NOT be your only deciding factor. Even if you really | | | | that you ask him about costs, and what items or |
| like your doctor it's imperative that you get that | | | | people you should bring with you to the hospital on |
| second opinion. You'll have your back for the rest of | | | | the day of your surgery. |