Patients might fear undergoing surgery, but the pain and suffering a spinal problem causes might lead them to agree to the procedure. Upon leaving a Maryland hospital, problems and pain might persist. Even extensive rehab and a lengthy recovery time could deliver little or no reprieve. Perhaps medical malpractice is to blame for the subsequent suffering.
Failed surgeries and patient suffering
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) is more common among recovering patients than many realize. The National Institute of Health reveals roughly 20% to 40% of patients experience FBSS. The NIH’s National Library of Medicine points out physicians must take several steps to minimize the chances of FBSS, but that does not always occur.
Operations on the spine come with risks, and surgeons must wait an appropriate amount of time before performing follow-up procedures. A surgeon who recommends performing a second surgery too soon could make the problem worse.
Sometimes, the doctor could focus on one disc and not pay proper attention to other problematic discs. If those discs go untreated, they could become the source of future spinal issues.
Medical malpractice and back surgeries
Medical malpractice involves negligence on a doctor, hospital, or another health care provider’s part. A misdiagnosis or surgeon’s error could leave a patient in worse condition than before seeking treatment.
When someone’s back or spine problem worsens, the individual might suffer from excruciating pain that doesn’t alleviate easily. The patient may become permanently disabled while relying on costly caregivers and other expenses. A medical malpractice claim might be the only option for someone seeking compensation for the losses that have resulted from the negligence.