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I'm going to have spine surgery next week. Getting a spinal fusion at L45. Very scared about everything but especially pain afterwards. Surgeon assures me all will be well. Having trouble trusting that. I am desperate for information. How do your patients do after this type of surgery?
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Pain control after spinal fusion is a major concern for your surgeon and his or her team. Everyone works together to make sure each patient is cared for. Part of that care is adequate management of postoperative pain.
Getting you up and moving requires good pain control. Early mobility also reduces your risk of complications and problems. And getting you out of the hospital as soon as possible benefits your pocketbook. The bottom line is patient satisfaction.
Many surgeons are making use of a pain management program called patient-controlled analgesia or PCA. In the early postoperative hours, the patient is allowed to push a button and receive a dose of a pain reliever (usually a narcotic).
The amount of drug is pre-determined and controlled so you won't have an unlimited amount of opioid (narcotic) but enough to stay on top of the pain. Likewise, you won't be able to push the button every five minutes. The length of time in between doses is also controlled. But the program has been well-developed and works beautifully for most patients.
If you get into trouble and find the pain is more than you can handle even with a PCA program, rescue analgesics are prescribed as well. Rescue analgesics refer to additional pain relievers needed to get control of pain because pain intensity has increased too much and the patient is very uncomfortable.
Another option in use by some surgeons is a medication called pregabalin. Pregabalin has been selected as a possible adjunct (helper) treatment because the drug is quickly absorbed and acts in a predictable and safe manner. It works because it blocks the release of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) that tend to overexcite the nervous system, ramping up pain messages.
Talk to your surgeon and the anesthesiologist about your concerns. Ask if any of these approaches (patient controlled analgesia, rescue analgesics, pregabalin) will be available. Their interest is in making your surgery as smooth, worry-free, and pain-free as possible.
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*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. |
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