Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Spine surgery is oftentimes very successful at helping patients find relief from their back discomfort, but it’s not a perfect solution for every patient. During your initial and pre-surgical evaluations, your spine specialist will really work to understand the root cause of your discomfort and what you can expect in the long-term if surgery goes as planned. Some patients may experience more pain relief than others for a number of different reasons. We highlight some of the controllable and uncontrollable reasons why some patients may experience more spine pain relief than others after a surgical procedure in today’s blog.

When Is Spine Surgery Most Successful?

The success of your spine surgery in terms of pain relief will vary depending on a number of different factors, so while this list can help convey who may benefit the most from a procedure, it’s important to remember that every patient is different. With that in mind, here’s a look at some candidates who may be in a position to experience significant pain relief as a result of their spine surgery:

• Structural Disorders – If you have been diagnosed with a structural disorder as opposed to a degenerative disorder, you may experience more pain relief as a result of your operation. For example, a minimally invasive procedure can help to alleviate pain caused by a pinched nerve or a shifted spinal disc. If your pain is caused by degenerative spinal discs or osteoarthritis, surgery isn’t going to be able to restore your spine to a pre-degenerative state.
• Confirmed Diagnosis – It’s important that your surgeon knows exactly what’s going on in your spine prior to surgery in order to ensure that all the necessary actions are taken during the operation. Imaging tests like an X-ray or MRI can help to pinpoint your issue so that you can be sure that you’re treating the underlying condition and not the symptoms of your spinal problem. Don’t be afraid to seek out a second opinion to confirm your diagnosis.
• First Spine Surgery – You’re also more likely to experience spine pain relief if this is your first surgery to correct the issue. If you’ve had a failed spine surgery in the past, you still stand a decent chance to find relief with a secondary operation, but patients who are pursuing a corrective procedure for the first time generally experience more significant pain relief.
• PT Follow Through – Pain won’t just dissipate the moment you leave the operating room. You’ll need to work towards long-term pain relief with the help of physical therapy and other rehabilitation techniques. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions and complete your physical therapy exercises as recommended in order to improve function and decrease your long-term pain prospects.
• Find A Trusted Surgeon – Technical skill during the operation can also impact the pain you experience following your procedure. Trust your operation to a surgeon like Dr. Sinicropi. He has an impeccable track record of success, and he’s confident he can help you find the pain relief you seek.
• Minimally Invasive – Finally, if possible, more forward with a minimally invasive procedure. Not all surgeries can be carried out using these laparoscopic techniques, but if it can be completed using these methods, opt for a surgeon who can correct the issue without causing a larger amount of trauma to the soft tissues and muscles in the area. Dr. Sinicropi can perform a number of spinal procedures with minimally invasive techniques, which greatly reduces tissue trauma and recovery time, both of which lead to less pain.

If you’re interested in putting an end to your spinal discomfort, or you just want to talk to a specialist and figure out what’s going on in your spine, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi’s office today at (651) 430-3800.

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