Back Surgery Complications

There are also many other extremely delicate and vital types of tissues in the spine, including major blood vessels and a huge network of neurological tissues. Trauma to any of these can also enact dire consequences for the patient.

The risks of back surgery should always be considered carefully before making the decision to have a spinal operation. Unfortunately, I find that some doctors do not spend adequate time or effort discussing these potential downfalls with the patient. Therefore, I am advising all of you to research the risks for yourself and then be sure to bring these factors up in conversation with your surgeon prior to undergoing the procedure.

Local Anesthetics

Local anesthetic has a much lower risk than general anesthetic. Local anesthetic also allows surgeries to be done very close to the spinal cord with less risk of paralysis. The surgeon can actually ask the patient to move their feet during certain procedures, to make sure everything is still ok.

Whenever possible, elect to undergo sedation and local anesthesia rather than suffer the increased risk of being put to sleep under general anesthesia.

General Anesthetic Risks

General anesthetic can cause problems with the lungs. It can lead to infections of the pulmonary system, and in rare cases, even pneumonia.

General anesthetic heightens the risk of a heart attack, stroke or embolism, for those at risk for these serious conditions.

General anesthesia is particularly risky for the elderly and those who are obese, as well as those patients who suffer from some pre-existing health issues.

Hypertension also presents an elevated risk for those undergoing a procedure under general anesthetic.

Back Surgery Complications / Infection

Any procedure that uses bone grafts from a cadaver, or hardware to reinforce a fusion, will have a greater chance of infection.

Operations which place prosthetics, such as artificial discs or disc spacers, also present elevated risks for bacterial contamination.

If an infection enters the spinal canal, the blood stream or the internal organs, the patient could get sick enough to die.

Back Surgery Complications / Spinal Fluid Leaks

If a spinal fluid leak continues, there is a heightened risk of headaches, fluid infection or spinal meningitis. In some instances, CSF leaks can cause ongoing pain and functional concerns.

Back Surgery Complications / Nerve Damage

In rare cases of autonomic nerve injury, the heart or lungs might be affected. In extreme cases of autonomic nerve injury, the patient can die.

Nerve damage is often cited as one of the major cause of failed back surgery syndrome and may be impossible to fix.

Back Surgery Complications / Paralysis

Back Surgery Complications / Blood Loss

Some surgeries might require a lot of blood loss as a normal part of the procedure. Surgery to correct scoliosis is a good example of this type of procedure. If bleeding continues after the surgery is finished, the patient will feel weak. If the blood loss does not correct itself, a second surgery might be necessary to seal the leak.

Large volumes of blood loss might require treatment with transfusions. Patients who receive transfusions demonstrate elevated risks for blood plasma rejection, infection and even contamination with a potentially dire health issue, like HIV.

Back Surgery Complications / Blood Clots

Unfortunately, this can also cause clots where there is no need. Commonly, this occurs in the lower legs, since the blood is far away from the heart. If a clot forms, there is always the chance of it causing painful symptoms in the lower leg. There is also the chance that it might break loose and travel to the lung or heart. These types of embolisms can create fatal situations.

Spinal Fusion Concerns

However, sometimes the hardware itself can cause a problem by moving, slipping or breaking.

Hardware also increases the risk for rejection or infection. In these cases, a second surgery will be done to correct the problem.

A great number of fusion patients suffer complications... far more than all other procedures in the back surgery sector.

Unsuccessful Operation

Back Surgery Complications / Scar Tissue

Scars can form in fascia, muscles, ligaments, bone and nerve tissue. Nerve scarring is particularly often blamed for causing ongoing pain concerns.

Many patients are told they have scar tissue simply because the procedure failed and the surgeon frankly does not want to be bothered with their calls anymore. I see this quite often and it sickens me to the core.

Back Surgery Complications Summary

HE or SHE IS A SURGEON. OPERATE IS WHAT THEY DO.

Back surgery complications can be the unfortunate result of any spinal procedure. Spinal surgery is a great medical tool when it is appropriate. Unfortunately, it is often overused or prematurely used, and can cause permanent side effects which can last a lifetime.

Remember, there is no such thing as a risk-free operation. All are dangerous and all may cause serious health effects, even when they are downplayed as being minimally invasive. Do not take chances. Understand the risks ahead of the procedure and make your decision to proceed with surgery very cautiously.