Questions and Answers

Lateral canal stenosis at any region of the spine may lead to nerve root compression. The patients may experience radicular pain, weakness, and numbness along with the distribution of the affected spinal nerve. Lateral recess syndrome in the lumbar spine is a result of such focal stenosis. Read More

Stenosis of the central cervical and thoracic spine may result in myelopathy from cord compression. Canal stenosis in the lumbosacral region often results in radicular pain, neurogenic claudication, or both. Read More

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) implies spinal canal narrowing with possible subsequent neural compression. Although the disorder often results from acquired degenerative changes (spondylosis), spinal stenosis may also be congenital in nature. In some cases, the patient has acquired degenerative changes that augment a congenitally narrow canal. The canal components that contribute to acquired stenosis include […] Read More

Spinal stenosis (progressive narrowing of the spinal canal) is a part of the aging process, and predicting who will be affected is not possible. No clear correlation is noted between the symptoms of stenosis and race, occupation, sex, or body type. Treatment of spinal stenosis can be conservative or surgical. While the degenerative process can […] Read More

Incentive spirometer: Your nurse or respiratory therapist will show you how to do deep-breathing exercises with an incentive spirometer (breathing tool) every hour while you are awake. Urinary catheter: If you have a catheter (tube to drain your urine), it will be removed the day after surgery. Drain: If you have a drain from your […] Read More

You will be helped to sit on the side of your bed on the day or night of surgery. You may need help to get out of bed and walk. On the day of surgery, you will get out of bed and walk with the physical therapist or nurse at least three times a day. […] Read More

You will get pain medicine immediately after surgery. Pain pills and muscle relaxers will be started as soon as you can have food. Your nurse probably will tell you to ask for medication when you need it. Even if you still have pain, you need to get out of bed and move as soon as […] Read More

Complications from spinal surgery are rare, but you should be aware of some risks: Some pain after surgery should be expected, but sometimes surgery doesn’t relieve all of your preoperative pain and, in rare cases, can make it worse. Discuss your expectations for pain relief with your surgeon. After a spinal fusion, neighboring parts of […] Read More

Seek out a family member or a friend who could assist you when you get home. Make arrangements for someone to be available to assist you after surgery and during the first few days of recovery. Prepare a “grabber” so you can pick up items off the floor without bending over. These are usually a […] Read More

Driving will depend on the surgery and the postoperative medication. Generally, you should assume you won’t be driving for at least two weeks after surgery. Once your surgeon clears you to drive, you will ease into it with short trips. Keep your trips as a passenger short. If you have a long ride home after […] Read More