Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

It is totally normal to be a little nervous or anxious in the days and weeks leading up to your spinal procedure. It’s a big undertaking, and there are some risks associated with a surgical procedure, but it’s important not to let these emotions overwhelm you in the lead up to surgery or once your operation is complete.

Studies have shown that tomophobia (the fear of surgery) can have a negative impact on a person’s surgical outcomes, so while some nervousness is normal, letting these emotions guide you away from making the best choices for your health is unwise. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at why you shouldn’t fear your spine surgery procedure, and we share some tips for overcoming some of these normal emotions.

Calming The Fear Of Spine Surgery

Overcoming the fear of spine surgery can usually be done by taking one of two approaches to an issue that is causing you uneasiness. Either reframe how you view the issue in your mind or take real, tangible steps to help you feel more in control. Let’s take a look at some issues that commonly cause fear or nervousness ahead of spine surgery and apply these approaches when appropriate.

• Afraid something could go wrong – Many patients find that they are nervous about their surgery because of the possibility that something might go wrong. No surgery is 100 percent safe, but here’s where we tell patients to reframe their perspective. It’s highly unlikely that something will go wrong (and we can address it if it does), and it’s much more likely that surgery will go exactly as planned. Instead of being afraid of what could go wrong, think about the life you’ll regain when surgery goes as expected. You’ll be able to do more and live a more active, pain-free life. Focus on the positive outcomes instead.
• Worried in general – Are you more worried about  the procedure in general? When patients are worried about surgery and recovery but can’t really pinpoint a true cause of uneasiness, we recommend they become more educated about their condition and the impact of surgery. We find that a more educated patient – one that reads materials and asks questions – is less nervous because they truly understand what’s going on with their body and why the operation is right for their situation. If you just have general uneasiness, proactively learn more about your spine issue and the corrective procedure, and feel free to lean on your surgical care team for answers!
• Worried about physical limitations – Some patients are nervous about being physically limited or missing work as a result of their procedure. Our best advice here is to prepare for your return home ahead of time. Clean the house, prepare some easy-to-reheat meals, do the laundry, bring home some work or schoolwork, stock up on entertainment options and just find ways to prepare for your return so your physical limitations aren’t as detrimental to your daily habits. Also, odds are you were already physically limited as a result of your back issue, so again work on reframing your mindset and viewing these temporary limitations as a necessary stepping stone in your journey to becoming a stronger and healthier you.
• Fear of pain – Perhaps you’re nervous about discomfort during or after the surgical procedure. We’ll use medication or anesthesia to ensure you won’t feel a thing during surgery, and we’ll use painkillers and other types of medications to help minimize pain and discomfort in the days and weeks that follow your procedure. There will be some pain and discomfort, but we can control it with medication, physical therapy and an understanding that it is temporary in order to become a more functional version of ourselves. Again, odds are you’re already dealing with some pain and discomfort if you need spinal surgery, so enduring some additional short-term discomfort for long-term pain relief is worth it if you reframe it in your mind.
• Concerns about effectiveness – Finally, many people are worried about the effectiveness of their operation. They don’t want to go through the whole process just to end up with similar discomfort and function as they had before surgery. We want you to understand that surgery is viewed as a last resort, and we’re only recommending it because conservative means have proven ineffective and this procedure will give you the best chance at the strongest recovery. Also, know that your outcome will be influenced by your effort before and after surgery. Dive into pre-hab exercises, follow your post-op PT and listen to your doctor’s aftercare instructions, and you’ll increase the likelihood of achieving successful results. A strong recovery after surgery won’t happen by accident, so commit to putting in the work and your anxiety levels about surgery effectiveness should drop.

Don’t let fear cause problems for your upcoming surgery. Take matters into your own hands and reframe how you are approaching the procedure in your mind, and we’re confident you’ll have less pre-op anxiety. To connect with a provider who can help calm your fears ahead of surgery, pick up the phone and connect with Dr. Sinicropi and the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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