At present, there are numerous treatment options for spinal conditions, ranging from medication and injections to physical therapy and various surgical procedures. The treatment choice depends on the severity of the condition and the symptoms present at the time. When it comes to spinal surgery, many people share a common sentiment of “fear” and “anxiety,” even though surgical technology has advanced considerably. Even if doctors explain the treatment process and the specific steps involved, many patients find it challenging not to worry, as no one can predict the future outcomes of the surgery. After surgery, the question of whether one can return to a normal life often lingers. S Spine and Nerve Hospital provides information on self-care before spinal surgery, aiming to help individuals prepare both physically and mentally. This preparation reduces the fear and anxiety that could have otherwise prevented patients from going through with spinal surgeries.

Pre-surgical Preparation Techniques to Reduce Fear and Anxiety for Spinal Surgery

1. Patients should ask themselves how much they understand and feel prepared for this surgery. If the answer is that they are ready, it can help strengthen their mental state to some extent. 

2. Calming down stress by envisioning a healthy and strong body that is free from suffering, can effectively reduce emotional stress.

3. Practicing proper breathing techniques can help control various anxieties and worries, and contribute to the nervous system’s ability to manage stress.

4. Meeting people or playing with pets can create a positive feeling and reduce stress or anxiety about the upcoming event.

5. Gathering comprehensive information can significantly boost confidence and reduce stress. For example:

– Observing clear examination results pinpointing the exact location of the pain’s root cause.

– Inquiring with the doctor about the treatment process in detail, ensuring that the chosen technique is suitable for your specific condition.

– The surgical tools for spinal surgery are crucial factors in each technique. However, it’s essential to verify the surgeon’s expertise in using these tools for the surgery.

– Understanding the treatment timeline, including the surgery duration, hospital stay, recovery period, etc.

6. Study the treatment outcomes and symptoms of individuals who have previously undergone spinal surgery since spinal surgery methods vary across locations, such as open surgery versus endoscopic surgery. There are many different types of cameras used during surgery and the choice of tools depends on the expertise of the treating physician.

7. Placing trust in the expertise of the medical team is another crucial factor in preparing for spinal surgery. 

Once you can instill confidence in yourself, to ensure that you don’t waste time in the treatment process, the following information shall discuss pre-surgical preparation steps.

Pre-surgical Preparation Steps for Spinal Surgery

Preparing before surgery helps reduce potential complications that can be life-threatening and facilitates faster recovery for the patient. The steps include:

1. Avoid eating and drinking for at least 8 hours before surgery to prevent choking from residual food particles.

2. Trim nails short and refrain from nail polish to avoid interference with oxygen monitoring at the fingertips during surgery.

3. Abstain from alcohol and smoking.

4. Avoid self-shaving the surgical area.

5. Clean the body, urinate and defecate thoroughly to reduce the risk of infection.

6. Remove valuable items and jewelry as they can conduct electricity.

7. Remove dentures (the removable kind) or notify the staff if you have loose teeth to prevent them from entering the airways during surgery.

8. Provide a medication history, including presenting your regular medications and vitamins to the doctor, so that they can determine which medications you should stop before surgery and prevent any allergic reactions or complications that may harm the patients.

9. Patients taking blood thinners and antiplatelet medications, such as aspirin, Plavix, clopidogrel, Ticagrelor, Cilostazol, Rivaroxaban, Apixaban and Edoxaban, must stop them 7 days before surgery. These medications slow blood clotting, increasing the risk of bleeding during surgery. Discontinuing them reduces the likelihood of losing blood during surgery. The decision to stop these medications should be discussed with the attending physician and for minor surgeries, medication can be resumed 2 days post-surgery, while for major surgeries, it can be resumed after 1 week.

10. Conduct a heart rhythm check or EKG to assess heart function.

11. Patients with heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, or those at risk should undergo a risk assessment with a specialist before each surgery to minimize treatment-related risks.

12. Patients taking medication to control diabetes should withhold it on the morning of the surgery.

13. Report any drug, food, or substance allergies to prevent harm to the patient.

14. Provide a history of surgeries in other body areas to the physician for detailed diagnosis; for instance, if a patient has a history of lymph node removal or breast cancer treatment, it should be communicated to the doctor or nurse to avoid saline injection on the same side as the said removal, which could lead to blood vessel rupture.

15. Conduct a pre-surgery blood test to check for abnormalities in blood cells and assess the immune system for any deficiencies or irregularities.

S Spine & Nerve Hospital focuses on Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MIS SPINE) technology, resulting in significantly smaller and safer incisions of approximately 30 times, while maintaining the effectiveness of major surgeries. This approach minimizes blood loss, making it advantageous for patients prone to post-surgery blood reactions. ICU stay is unnecessary post-surgery, and 95% of patients only require a 1-night hospital stay. Crucially, patients can choose any qualified doctor within S Spine & Nerve Hospital, as standardized training ensures consistent quality of care amongst all physicians. With over 10,000 spinal cases treated with permanent recovery from pain, this approach is suitable for individuals who fear and are anxious about spinal surgery.

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