What Are Common Complications After Back Surgery

No surgery is without risks, and it's important that all patients understand the risks associated with any surgery before making a decision to have the surgery. The majority of patients who undergo back surgery do not experience complications, but complications are always a possibility.

Potential Complications

Some of the complications that can occur with back surgery include:

• Infection 
• Failure to relieve symptoms 
• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Nerve damage
• Paralysis
• Death

Although there are some risks associated with back surgery, most patients have an uneventful surgery and recovery period. 

Laser Back Surgery Lowers Risk

There is no way to completely eliminate the risks associated with back surgery, but choosing minimally invasive options whenever possible can keep the risks to a minimum. Laser spine surgery can be used to treat many common spine conditions, including herniated discs and bulging discs. Laser spine surgery is an endoscopic procedure, which means that the doctor operates on the spine using just a few small incisions and a camera, instead of large incisions that completely reveal the spine.

Laser spine surgery is just as effective as or more effective than traditional spine surgery, but it is associated with lower risks for numerous reasons: 

• No large incision means a lower risk of bleeding
• Shorter downtime and no hospital stay reduce the risk of blood clots, which often develop due to inactivity
• Smaller incisions and no hospital stay mean a lower risk of infection

Weighing the Risks 

Your doctor will not recommend that you get surgery unless he believes that the benefits outweigh the risks. However, you must decide for yourself whether you believe the benefits are worth the risks to you.

Although it's true that there are some risks associated with spine surgery and other types of surgery, it's important to remember that no action is without risk. Just as there is some risk associated with driving a car or flying on a plan, there is risk inherent in getting spine surgery. For most people, the benefits of getting from place to place outweigh the risks of getting in a car accident. Because of the potential for relief from symptoms and improved health, the majority of patients decide that the benefits outweigh the risks for them.

Dr. Datta would be happy to meet with you about whether or not laser back surgery is right for you. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or give us a call at (212) 430-0312.