As a chiropractor for the almost 16 years I have been inundated with the old debate of surgery versus conservative treatment from both my patients and my colleagues ,
While we can understand that your back or a particular joint may be extremely painful. Don’t let pain and or fear mongering be your only motivation for joint surgery, it is not be your only option.
Remember this joint surgery checklist :
- Have I completed a minimum 12 week conservative/non-invasive course of treatment with a rehab specialist like a chiropractor, to include minor lifestyle changes and exercise?
- Have I considered the short term and long-term consequences to surgery and the implications to my lifestyle and immediate family?
- Have I understood all the risks of the surgery and weighed the risk to reward ratio?
- Have I considered all the financial implications to joint surgery?
- Have I spoken to at least 5 people that have had the same surgery as I am considering ?
- Have I got a least 3 surgical opinions concerning my surgery?
I urge the next person that is faced with “surgery as the only way out” to consider these points above , in order to make an informed decision .Ask the right questions to your surgeon , don’t just be wheeled into surgery,
P.S. On the issue of tablets for chronic pain-which I will go onto depth in my next blog . Remember you cannot “pill your pain away” . Pills for pain are simply not sustainable nor is it an effective means to an end.
Yours in Health
Dr Shekaar. Rampersad
Registered Chiropractor
Special interest in post-surgical rehabilitation and pain management
Shelly Beach Chiropractic and Pain Joint
53 Marine Drive Shelly beach, Kwazulu Natal