A spine center can help improve your surgery result.

FAQ's

• What makes me a good candidate for back surgery?

  A good candidate for spinal surgery depends on a variety of factors including your spine pain diagnosis, age, lifestyle factors and more. At the Neurosurgery One Spine Center, less than 25 percent of the patients we see for an initial visit for back pain or neck pain are immediate candidates for spinal surgery. That means that at least 3 out of 4 people who come to our office for back, leg, neck and/or arm pain caused by a spinal problem typically benefit from conservative treatment or interventional pain management and never need spinal surgery. 

  While not an exhaustive list, a good candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery or more complex spine surgery typically has one or several of the following characteristics: 

  • A diagnosed back or neck condition or structural condition such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs in the lower spine, scoliosis, kyphosis, spondylolisthesis, radiculopathy, or degenerative disc disease
  • Trauma to the spinal column
  • Loss of motor or bladder control 
  • Failed medications, physical therapy, and steroid injections 
  • Had imaging tests (X-ray, CT, MRI) of the spine 
  • Tried spinal injections
  • Your quality of life or activity level is greatly diminished because of your pain
• How successful is back surgery?

  Every back surgery and every back surgeon has specific outcomes that are directly correlated to a proper diagnosis, pre and post surgery education and patient preparation, and the experience of the surgeon. Studies have found that more experienced back surgeons have lower complication and infection rates, which improve patient outcomes. Success of back surgery also depends on a patient’s definition of success–to reduce pain, to improve mobility, to return to daily activities, etc. If you are considering spine surgery, it’s important that you ask your Denver spine surgeon about their experience with the specific minimally invasive spine surgery or spine procedure you plan to undergo, their infection and complication rates with that spine procedure, and what you personally define as success post surgery. 

• When should I have back surgery for bulging disc?

  Determining when you should have back surgery for a bulging disc, also called a herniated disc, depends on your symptoms and whether or not your pain is alleviated with conservative treatment.  Most of the time, pain from a bulging disc can be improved or eliminated with ice, physical therapy, and pain medications. However, if a bulging disc causes loss of bowel or bladder function or leg pain, spine surgery may be recommended. This study outlines when people with various types of disc herniation may benefit from spine surgery, but it’s always important to discuss your specific diagnosis and treatment options with your Denver back pain specialist. 

• What are the benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery?

  Minimally invasive spine surgery offers many benefits for many patients who are candidates for spine surgery. A few of the top benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery include: 

  • Smaller incision(s)
  • Shorter operative time
  • Decreased blood loss
  • Less muscle damage
  • Reduced incidence of infection
  • Less post-surgical pain 
  • Faster recovery
• Why are pre and post spinal surgery education and bone health treatment plans important?

  Pre and post spinal surgery education has been shown to improve outcomes of spine surgery. At the Neurosurgery One Spine Center, we use a program called Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)

  According to a review of ERAS studies published in Neurosurgical Focus in April 2019, the benefits of ERAS include:

  • Faster functional recovery
  • Shorter hospital says
  • Decreased opioid use
  • Reduced surgery complications
  • Improved patient satisfaction 
• What does the Neurosurgery One Spine Center do to ensure your back surgery has the best chance of success?

  For patients needing spine surgery in Denver, the Neurosurgery One Spine Center offers several benefits to ensure all candidates for spine surgery have the best possible results. 

  • Proper diagnosis: Some conditions (such as osteoarthritis) can’t be helped with surgery and we’ll tell you that. Whenever possible, we always recommend conservative treatments first, and we work to pinpoint the root cause of your back pain before recommending surgery. 
  • A Team Approach: Our Denver spine surgeons at Neurosurgery One are board certified or board eligible and fellowship trained neurosurgeons, board-certified physiatrists and interventional pain management specialists, and experienced, certified advanced practice providers (APPs). Our team members work collaboratively, consulting on our spine patients throughout their diagnosis and treatment. Because of our team approach, we can see patients within 3-5 days of calling our office. 
  • Pre and post-surgery education: For our spine surgery patients, we offer spine surgery education for you and your support/loved ones that helps you understand what to expect, how to prepare before surgery, how to prepare your home and life to support your recovery, what to do after surgery to speed and optimize recovery, such as how to eat for better recovery. We call this our Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program. 
  • Bone Health Clinic: At Neurosurgery One, we offer a Bone Health Clinic to help strengthen your bones prior to surgery, which has been shown to improve spine surgery outcomes, reduce recovery time, and prevent future spine issues like spine fractures. 
• What does it mean to be referred to a surgeon vs being referred for surgery?

  There is a difference between being referred to a Denver spine surgeon for back pain vs. being referred for surgery. You might be referred to a back surgeon if you have tried home remedies and conservative treatment and your pain persists. Being referred to a surgeon does not mean you are necessarily a candidate for back surgery–it means that your pain warrants an evaluation by a specialist who can then determine if surgery might be an appropriate recommendation. 

  Being referred for spine surgery means that your spine specialist has diagnosed your condition and you have tried all appropriate conservative treatment options without success. Unless you are experiencing red flag symptoms or you have been diagnosed with a condition that is appropriate for surgery, you will rarely be referred directly for any type of spine surgery. 

• What should I consider when looking for a spine center?

  Whether you’ve been referred to a back surgeon or you are searching for one, you should take time to consider many factors such as experience and reputation. You also should look at whether a back surgeon belongs to a comprehensive spine center.

  Some factors to consider when selecting a Colorado spine center include:

  • What does the back surgeon or spine center do to minimize pain while also minimizing opioid usage?
  • Are the surgeons board certified or do they have fellowship training in spine surgery?
  • How much experience does the spine surgeon have in the surgery you are considering?
  • Does the spine center you are considering offer a range of interventional pain management procedures as well as minimally invasive and complex spine surgery procedures?
  • Does the back surgeon offer outpatient and inpatient surgery?
  • What providers will be part of your back surgeon’s teams and what is their experience?
  • How long has the back surgeon been providing care in the community?
  • Where does the back surgeon perform surgery and is it convenient to you?
  • Does the back surgeon offer any pre and/or post-surgery education?