The Complete Guide to Spinal surgery from a Patient's Point of View, The End

Many people spend a lifetime with back pain.  It is the #1 cause of absenteeism from work and one of the main reasons that employees seek disability.

I have been fortunate to have had excellent surgeons.  I researched and educated myself as best as I could so that I could understand what was happening to my body.  I am also fortunate that I live in New York City and have the greatest advantage of some of  the best hospitals and doctors  to choose from.  Anyone undergoing spine surgery should seek out the best possible surgeon and hospital.  There are many ways to do that.  The Internet can provide you with lists of hospitals and their rankings.  Hospital websites also contain departmental information where you can find a list of their surgeons and specialty.  This information will give you the doctors credentials, area of expertise, schooling training etc. 

Many patients have successful spine surgery while others do not.  I am now 2 weeks post op from surgery.  I still have pain, muscle spasms, and am limited in walking and sitting.  I am still on pain medication.

I do not know the outcome of this surgery.  I can only put faith into the hands of my surgeon, nurses and other personnel that got me to this point.  Time alone will give me the answer.  My goals are simple, I just want to walk again and perform my daily tasks without pain. 

Without the help of a loving family, who was there for me along the way, I could never have done this.
I hope that this blog has given some inside look to this experience and I hope that it has given another "back patient" some answers.

Sharyn B.