Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

It’s normal to be a little nervous before a surgical procedure, but we don’t want you to be overly stressed about the situation. We want you to be at ease and excited about what’s in store for your future, not stressed and worried about the procedure. In today’s blog, we explore some of the reasons why patients have a misguided view about their upcoming spine surgery.

Managing Fears Before Spine Surgery

Here’s a look at some of the most common reasons that patients give when asked what’s making them nervous ahead of their spine procedure, and some reasons why you shouldn’t be afraid of your operation.

• Problem During Surgery/Worse Off – Some people say that they are afraid that something will go wrong during the procedure and that they’ll actually end up worse off when all is said and done. The fact of the matter is that surgery goes exactly as expected the majority of the time, and even when it doesn’t achieve the perfect results, patients are rarely ever worse off because of it. Instead of focusing on what could go wrong, think about all of the activities you’ll soon be able to do again because surgery helped you put your pain and discomfort in the past. Surgery success rates continue to climb, and while no procedure goes perfectly 100 percent of the time, it is incredibly unlikely that you’ll be worse off because of the procedure. Expect great results from your procedure and recovery.
• Prolonged Recovery – Some patients put off surgery or are scared of their operation because of the lengthy rehab process they’ll have to endure afterwards. While it’s certainly possible that you will have months of rehab ahead of you, know that time is going to pass one way or the other, so you might as well put in a little work to become the strongest version of yourself as time passes. You’ll be much stronger and physically capable if you put in the work during your rehab, which can make the rest of your life that much more comfortable. A little work goes a long way during your recovery, so don’t dread this period, embrace it.
• Lack Of Support – Some people are worried about their spine procedure because they don’t have a lot of support from family or friends for one reason or another. Perhaps you’ve moved far away from your family, or you’re worried about being a burden so you want to manage your rehab on your own. For starters, know that you are not a burden to anyone. You would be more than willing to help others in your situation, so trust that your friends and family feel the same way. As for dealing with a lack of support, know that your doctors, your physical therapists and your entire care team will be there for any help you need during your pre-op or post-op care. Some people also find support from online communities or support groups. There are plenty of online support groups with people who have gone through similar situations and surgeries, and it can be helpful to connect with a omeone who knows exactly what you’re going through.
• Lack Of Control – Finally, many people are leery about spine surgery because they feel like they aren’t in control of the situation. Some people experience this same fear when flying. Their safety is out of their control, and they need to trust that the professional in charge will do their part to achieve an ideal outcome. You can work to ease this fear by moving forward with a surgeon who you have complete confidence in. Ask them questions during your pre-op consultations and really make sure that you have faith in their knowledge and expertise. You will not have any control over what happens while you’re on the operating table, but you do have a say in which team you trust with the procedure, and that can help relieve fears associated with this lack of control. Trust your care to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute, and we believe this fear and all the other fears on the list will be alleviated.

For more information on the care we can provide for your neck and spine, reach out to the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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