This guide provides information about what to expect during your hospitalisation and when you return home following your spine surgery. As spine surgery affects each person differently, some of the information included in this guide may not be applicable specifically to your condition, so it is important for you to discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor or nurse.

Reasons for spine surgery
Spine surgery may be recommended by your neurosurgeon to manage your condition and prevent it from getting worse. This could be for any of the following reasons:

• Reducing and managing symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling and weakness
• Relieving pressure on nerves, for example by removing discs that have degenerated or tumours, nodules, cysts or bony growths (osteophytes)
• Stabilising the spine, e.g. after traumatic injury
• Draining an infection or abscess