If you have been told that you require surgery to address an extruded disc, then you may be overwhelmed and confused. These feelings can make living with your neck or back pain even more frustrating, and you may be feeling a little hopeless. All of these emotions are normal, as the thought of undergoing any type of surgery can be a little unsettling. But, by knowing all the right information, you can feel more confident about your options and make an educated decision about your care.

The first step to feeling less anxious is to be candid with your doctor about your fears. Speak up and let him or her know about your concerns. Then, ask any questions you may have. When it comes to your health, there is no such thing as a “dumb” question. If you’re feeling a little scatterbrained and aren’t sure what to ask, here are a few good questions:

1. Are there any conservative treatment options that I haven’t tried yet? In some cases, disc extrusion surgery is the clinically appropriate treatment option. However, the majority of patients are able to effectively manage their symptoms with a combination of conservative treatments. Be forthright with your doctor and ask about what other nonsurgical methods may be available.
2. What outcome should I expect? Every patient’s situation is different, and not all disc extrusion surgeries are performed for the same reason. Ask your doctor what level of symptom relief you can expect after your procedure.
3. Realistically, how long will it take to recover? This is important information to know because you’ll need to arrange things accordingly with your employer and caretakers.
4. How will my daily life be impacted by this surgery? In many instances, disc extrusion surgery provides significant symptom relief, but there may be certain activities and habits that you need to avoid in order to preserve your results. Make sure your doctor clearly explains these things to you.

You can also ask your doctor about possible minimally invasive treatment options. At USA Spine Care, our board-certified surgeons+ perform minimally invasive outpatient surgeries that offer several advantages over traditional open spine operations. Our disc extrusion surgeries only require a less than 1-inch incision, and our procedures as a whole have achieved a patient satisfaction score of 98 out of 100.^

Contact USA Spine Care today to discover more about our disc extrusion treatment options. To learn if you are a candidate for our procedures, ask our team how you can receive a free MRI review.*

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