The spine is the most delicate part and back pain, the most common problem. So, it is obvious for you to question, “can spinal surgery cause paralysis?” In the last 20 years, surgical and medical advances have led to a significant increase in spine surgery.
Medical professionals acknowledge the very potential of spine surgery but they can’t even deny the complications that it brings to the patients.
Back pain is the most common problem witnessed in adults. While some problems such as the crooked spine, unstable spine, and conditions including a disc herniation or spinal stenosis; advocate the need for back/spine surgery.
There are several types of spine surgeries that help with these problems:
- Lumbar Decompression Surgery for Spinal Stenosis
- Lumbar Discectomy
- Herniated Disc Surgery
- Spinal Fusion Surgery
As these surgeries are one of the most complicated aspects of medical sciences, it brings with it numerous risks.
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Spinal Surgery Complications- You Must Know
Spine surgeries are unwarranted.
Can Spinal Surgery cause Paralysis? Let me make it clear. Firstly, paralysis after spinal surgery is uncommon. However, it can lead to numerous complications. And these different cons when occur simultaneously can lead to permanent nerve damage after back surgery and even paralysis.
Complications that are associated with spinal surgery are:
- Poor wound healing
- Failed back syndrome
- Blood clotting and bleeding
- Injury to the blood vessels or nerves in and around the spine
- Pain at the spot from where the bone graft is taken
The compilations depend on a number of factors. Data identifies the development of one or more complications owing to one of these factors.
Risk factors include:
- Firstly, older age.
- History of Spinal Injury or Infection
- History of heart failure or heart attack
- Lastly, a history of Sepsis or use of corticosteroids
The statistics show that nearly 7.6% of patients develop some complications within 30 days after surgery. While 0.3% sudden death after back surgery is reported.
Additional Reading: Arthroscopic Knee Surgery in Patna
Common Problems After Spinal Fusion
Spinal fusion is one of the most performed spine surgery. This surgery aims at correcting problems with the small bones in the spine. Moreover, we can say that this is done to relieve back pain or to provide stability to the spine.
With each surgery, there come some complications. Spinal surgery also brings some complications with it which are as follows:
- Thrombophlebitis- surgery involving the lower extremities can result in the formation of a blood clot inside the veins of the legs. It is also referred to as Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT). Blood clots obstruct the normal flow of venous blood which can ultimately result in pulmonary embolism too. If pulmonary embolism is large enough- it may cause death.
- Mechanical Complications- DVT can result in obstruction in your normal locomotive movements and difficulty walking after back surgery. Doctors advise to move out of the bed and walk which results in muscle contraction of the legs and keep the blood in the veins of the leg moving to avoid blood clotting.
- Lung problems- The medication used for anesthetic purposes may result in a malfunction of your lungs. Lying in bed and medications disturb the normal functioning of the lungs. However, normal exercises, sitting upright, and getting out of the bed, and walking are some ways to get the lungs to work better.
- Infection
- Hardware fracture- These surgeries include the use of metal screws, plates, and rods as part of the procedure to hold the vertebrae in alignment. Therefore, there is a chance of displacement of this hardware- one of the spinal fusion complications years later.
- Spinal Fusion – This might result in failed back syndrome which if not healed for years, can further result in permanent nerve damage.
Why Back Surgery Should be Avoided?
All surgery comes with some complications and is unwarranted. The primary reason to avoid back surgery is the complications it brings with it. Excessive bleeding, blood-clotting, lung problems, infection, mechanical complications, and other medical complications out of its medications, and anesthetic process.
If you are residing somewhere in North India or Bihar and facing issues like a crooked spine, unstable spine, or suffering from back pain, you can go through an orthopedic doctor in Patna.
Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.
If you are facing any issues related to the bones, joints, spine; then without further ado, you must consult Dr. Ramakant who is the best orthopedic doctor in boring road, Patna. With an experience of 3000 knee replacement, spinal listed surgery to date.
As he is an MBBS alumnus of AIIMS Delhi and MS – Orthopaedics, he brings with him expertise in the subject. He has an unparalleled experience of long 13 years’ experience including 10 years of experience as a specialist in Orthopaedic Surgery. He completed his advanced surgical training in Hip & Knee surgery from the Centre of International repute in Singapore & Seoul South Korea.
So, yeah… here the blog ends up finally on Can Spinal Surgery Cause Paralysis…
