Here are a few of the most common questions our physicians encounter, followed by their answers. While this information is factual, it is always wise to speak to your health care provider about your particular case.
I’m scheduled for surgery. Can I continue to take aspirin or other painkillers?
To ensure that nothing interferes with your anesthesia, ask your physician if you should take your regular medication in advance of or on the day of your surgery or procedure. It is generally best to stop taking aspirin or similar anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen®, Advil®, Motrin®, Naprosyn® and Aleve®. Your physician may request that you taper or slowly reduce your normal dose of certain medications, so it is important that you discuss this with your physician well in advance of your surgery or procedure. Also, be sure to notify your physician immediately if there is a change in your physical condition, for example if you develop a cold, fever or persistent cough.
Can I continue to take herbal supplements, vitamins and diet pills if I’m scheduled for surgery?
Herbal supplements, vitamins and diet pills can interfere with anesthesia and other medications that may be prescribed to you before or after your surgery or procedure. It is important to let your physician know if you are taking any herbal or nutritional supplements, vitamins or diet pills. Examples are: ginko biloba, ginger, garlic, ginseng, kava kava, St. John’s Word, vitamins E and C, DHEA and melatonin. Generally, it is best to stop taking these products at least two weeks before your surgery or procedure.
If my physician says I can take Tylenol, can I also take Ibuprofen®?
Yes. Ibuprofen® is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that blocks the inflammatory cascade that causes pain. Tylenol, on the other hand, works centrally in the brain. The two drugs actually tend to work well together because they function differently in the body.
My physician wants me to have fusion surgery. After surgery, will I be able to use the stairs?
Usually, walking up and down stairs after surgery is not a problem. Your surgeon will probably want you to limit your bending, lifting and twisting, however, to allow the fusion to heal properly.
I had a microdiscectomy two weeks ago. The pain in my leg is gone, but I continue to have numbness. Will this go away?
In some cases it may take weeks or months, perhaps even a year for post-surgical numbness to disappear. If you still experience this numbness after a year, it is probably permanent. This is a subject you may want to discuss further with your physician.
What are bone spurs and what should I do if I have them?
Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, are bony projections that form along your joints. They can be associated with arthritis and cause pain and restriction in joint movement. They form because the body is trying to increase the surface area of the joint to better distribute weight across a surface damaged by arthritis or other conditions. While bone spurs themselves are not a problem, they indicate an underlying problem that generally should be addressed.
What is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is an abnormal curve of the spine. If the spine is very crooked, the ribs or hips may stick out more on one side than the other. In addition, one shoulder may be lower than the other. Scoliosis may begin in childhood but often is not noticed until the teen years. In most cases, the exact cause isn't known. In most people, the curve in the spine is so small it causes no problems. In fact, it doesn't usually cause back pain. In severe cases, however, the curve may restrict the amount of space available for the lungs and heart to work properly.
What causes sciatica?
Several different lumbar spine (low back) disorders can cause sciatica, which is often described as mild to intense leg pain. Sciatica is caused by compression of one or more of the five sets of nerve roots in the lower back. Sometimes doctors call sciatica a radiculopathy, which is a term used to describe pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms or legs caused by a nerve root problem. If the nerve problem is in the neck, it is called a cervical radiculopathy. If it is in the low back, it is called lumbar radiculopathy.
Several different types of spinal disorders can cause spinal nerve compression and sciatica or lumbar radiculopathy. The six most common are: (1) a bulging or herniated disc (2) lumbar spinal stenosis (3) spondylolisthesis (4) trauma (5) piriformis syndrome and (6) spinal tumors.
After my surgery, can I go home right away?
In some cases, your doctor will advise you to stay in a rehabilitation unit or a skilled nursing facility for a short time before going home. In most cases, insurance pays for these services. The social worker in the hospital will help arrange these services and assist you or your family in selecting the best setting for you. He/she will also help with payment and insurance needs.
What is a Case Manager?
Before you came to the hospital, your insurance company was called to get their approval for admission and a length of stay is usually assigned. (This is called pre-approval).
Once you have arrived at the hospital, had the surgery and begin recovering, someone needs to communicate your progress to the insurance company to assure continued payment – this is a Case Manager. Many times you never meet this person, who works on your behalf behind the scenes.
Before you go home, the case manager determines, in collaboration with the multidisciplinary spine team, what your needs will be when you leave. Maybe you’ll need to have some Home Care visits from a nurse or physical therapists. He/she will ensure your insurance company understands these needs and agrees to pay for them in accordance to your insurance policy benefits. The case manager will then coordinate the services you need, so you will receive them without having to arrange them yourself.
If going home is neither safe or prudent for you, the case manager will coordinate with your insurance company, tell them that you will require temporary in-patient care, and then collaborate with the social worker to coordinate your transfer to the new unit.
The case manager is available to you Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm if you have concerns, you have him/her paged by asking your nurse.
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