Overview
Most pain in the lower back can be treated without any Spine Surgery. In fact, surgery often does not relieve the pain, research suggests that 20 to 40 percent of back surgeries are not successful. This lack of success is so common that there is a medical term for it: failed back surgery syndrome.
Nonetheless, there are times when back surgery is a viable or necessary option to treat serious musculoskeletal injuries or nerve compression. A pain management specialist can help you decide whether surgery is an appropriate choice after making sure you have exhausted all other options.
By the time you sign up for back surgery, your doctor will probably have tried a number of treatments to ease your back pain or lower body weakness. While there are no guarantees the operation will provide relief, there are lots of options. Learn as much as you can about back surgery ahead of time. The more you know, the better the choice you’ll make.
What Are the Benefits?
Often, the result is more than just a drop in pain. You may find:
- You can move around better.
- You’re more physically fit.
- Your mood improves.
- You don’t need to take as much pain medicine.
- You can go back to work.
- You’re more productive at work.
Are There Risks?
Most people who get back surgery have minimal, if any, complications.
That said, any operation has some degree of risk, including:
- Reaction to anesthesia or other drugs
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots, for instance in your legs or lungs
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Herniated disk
- Nerve damage, which can lead to weakness, paralysis, pain, sexual dysfunction, or loss of bowel or bladder control
The odds that something could go wrong go up for people with certain health conditions. They also vary by type of surgery. Part of your surgeon’s job is to identify potential problems.