About Your Thoracic Spine Surgery

Thoracic spine surgery is available through a variety of techniques today as endoscopic procedures are becoming more widely used. The techniques used today allow doctors greater access to the lumbar and thoracic spine completely. Thoracic spine surgery gives patients with chronic back pain new hope for relief from their pain. Doctors will generally try other treatment methods before a thoracic spine surgery.

Considerations for Thoracic Spine Surgery

Patients must take into consideration the risks involved with a thoracic spine surgery. While the relief of pain may be the primary motivating factor, there is risk with surgery. Those who have an open thoracic spine surgery are at a risk of injury to the spine, reactions to anesthesia and other problems that could occur with this type of surgery. Thoracic spine surgery may be the answer to chronic pain, but the risks must be weighed in advance. Not every patient is a good candidate for spine surgery. Those with chronic health issues may be unsuitable for this type of surgery. For a great number of patients, however, thoracic spine surgery is a viable option.

Recovery from Thoracic Spine Surgery

Physical therapy is the key to a successful recovery from thoracic spine surgery. Patients must learn the proper way to move their body after the procedure and work to strengthen the muscles that support the spine. Doctors may order physical therapy for some patients very quickly after a thoracic spine surgery and many patients start physical therapy right in their hospital bed. The exercises in the beginning do not strain the spine, but they can progressively increase in intensity to build a strong back and spine. Thoracic spine surgery is just the beginning in a full recovery from chronic back pain.

What to Expect After Thoracic Spine Surgery

Thoracic spine surgery, while there have been advances, is still a surgery. Patients must take things slowly and follow doctor’s orders. Some patients may be required to wear a back brace after the procedure. Activity may be severely limited in the early days after an open thoracic spine surgery. Some patients may be required to stay in the hospital for a longer time than those who have an endoscopic procedure. Recovery is also dependent on the patient and their overall health. Patients in good physical condition can recover from a thoracic spine surgery faster than those who are in poor health.

Returning to Normal Activities after Thoracic Spine Surgery

Patients will be advised when they are able to return to normal activities after thoracic spine surgery. Returning to work and physical activity is different for each patient. This largely depends on the extent of the thoracic spine surgery that was performed. It also depends on how hard the patient works in physical therapy to restore strength and begin the road to recovery. Some patients can return to normal activities within several weeks after thoracic spine surgery while others are not strong enough to return to normal activities for several months. Thoracic spine surgery can be a major surgery and patients must consider all risks first.