When Spine Surgery is Necessary

When Spine Surgery is Necessary

Do you have persistent backaches that don’t seem to go away? Back pain is one of the most frequent chronic problems in the United States. If you’ve been suffering from significant back pain for a long time, it’s normal to question when spine surgery is necessary. However, while surgery can reduce certain causes of back pain, it does not occur frequently. Back pain often heals itself in a few months or less with proper therapy. While surgery may appear a viable solution to address persistent back pain, in most circumstances, surgery does not occur in our practice unless absolutely necessary.

In reality, for many patients, spine surgery is not needed and we find other therapies and methods to relieve nagging pain.  For instance, non-surgical treatments for back pain, such as over-the-counter pain medications and physical therapy, are frequently effective. Surgery, however, can result in the best solution for some conditions, despite its rarity. Please contact one of our spine experts who can perform an in-person physical examination to evaluate the best treatment for your situation.

Is Back Surgery Necessary for Your Condition?

The following are some of the problems that may necessitate back surgery:

• A slipped disc that does not self-correct
• Bone spurs or expansion of bone in the spine
• Degenerative spinal disorders that cause pain and weakness, such as stenosis
• A fractured or dislocated bone
• A spinal infection
• A spinal cord tumor
• Scoliosis

Furthermore, just because you have one of these conditions does not indicate that surgery is the only solution to your pain, and it’s sometimes difficult to pinpoint the source of back pain. X-rays can sometimes identify a disc condition that isn’t the source of the pain. This is why it is critical to see a spine specialist before considering back surgery. Here are some steps you should take to make a decision:

Careful Screening

The choice to conduct surgery on someone with lower back pain requires careful consideration of the patient’s symptoms as well as the findings of screening procedures such as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI. These tests frequently reveal problems like bulging discs or stenosis, which occurs with a narrowing of the space in the spine that might put pressure on a nerve. Even if a patient has back pain and imaging reveals a problem, it doesn’t guarantee the two are connected. That is why diagnosing the cause of back pain requires a Spine Specialist.

Identify Causes and Weigh Options

A well-known physician stated that he does not suggest surgery for most lower back disorders unless patients experience pain, weakness, or numbness in their legs, indicating nerve irritation, and even then, only if the doctors can identify the source of the pain. Figuring out the difference necessitates a thorough study of the patient’s symptoms. Many patients with spinal/back issues do not undergo surgery, and the first steps are physical therapy, home exercises, medication, and in certain cases, spinal injections are commonly prescribed. If the condition does not get better, then surgery may be a solution.

3 Indications you Might need Back Surgery

Doctors will advise that Back pain occurs in lots of people, yet the cause always becomes difficult to pinpoint.  The amount and intensity of pain alone cannot determine if a patient needs back surgery, but it is one of the warning indicators to look for.

1 – Pain that Does Not Go Away 

The typical length of acute back pain ranges from a few days to a few weeks. Furthermore, a prior study found that 75 to 90 percent of lower back pain sufferers improve after about a month. That may sound like fantastic news to someone who isn’t having back pain right now. But if you’re the one experiencing problems sitting, standing, walking, or sleeping properly, those few weeks might feel like a lifetime. Furthermore, if the pain has been severe for more than two weeks without any change, it’s not surprising that the idea of back surgery comes to mind. Although you may anticipate severe back pain to improve on its own, you don’t have to suffer through it. Your doctor may recommend that you try the following treatments:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines.
• Physiotherapy.
• Corticosteroid injections
• Epidural steroid injections
• Changes in lifestyle.

If these non-surgical therapy and maintenance solutions do not resolve your problems, you should definitely let your doctor know.

2 – The Pain Spreads to your Arms and Legs 

Radiculopathy, often known as radiating pain, occurs when back pain radiates to the arms and legs. This frequently shows pressure on a nerve root in your spine. Surgery may be recommended depending on the reason and severity of the problem.

Bone spurs and herniated discs are the most prevalent causes of radiating back pain. Spinal osteoarthritis causes bone spurs, also known as osteophytes. They arise when the articular cartilage in the joints of the spine wears away, resulting in bone-on-bone contact. Spurs of bone can grow around nerve roots, putting pressure on them. Disc herniation, on the other hand, happens when the jellylike inner layer of the spine protrudes through the fibrous outer layer. A herniation may put stress on a nerve root, resulting in radiculopathy.

Numbness and Weakness in the Legs

When experiencing numbness or weakness in your legs, it’s crucial not to ignore these symptoms. Conditions such as spinal stenosis, disc herniation, tumors, and infections can be the culprits behind these sensations.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis, the narrowing of the spine, often occurs with age and is most common in the lower back or lumbar area. Initially, you may not notice many symptoms, but as the condition progresses, you might experience:

• Constant numbness and weakness in your legs
• Loss of sensation in your feet
• Burning pain that runs down into your legs

If you have lumbar spinal stenosis, you might find that walking long distances becomes difficult. Leaning forward can sometimes alleviate the pressure in your back.

Disc Herniation, Tumors, and Infections

Disc herniation, tumors, and infections also contribute to numbness and weakness in the legs. Disc herniation, as previously mentioned, involves the jellylike inner layer of the spine protruding through the fibrous outer layer, putting pressure on nerve roots. Tumors and infections can similarly impinge on nerves, leading to these debilitating symptoms.

Seeking Medical Attention

If you have ongoing numbness or weakness in your legs, it is essential to consult a spine doctor for a thorough evaluation. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to worsening conditions and increased difficulty in managing the underlying issues.

By understanding the potential causes and symptoms, you can take proactive steps towards addressing and treating these spine-related conditions effectively. Before resorting to surgery, a spine specialist will, as is customary, try to suggest non-surgical and less invasive therapy.

3 – Severe Symptoms and Trauma 

When back pain and related symptoms are the results of an emergency or trauma, a spine surgeon will usually opt to consider surgery. Accidents and catastrophic occurrences caused by chronic illnesses, such as cauda equina syndrome, are examples of emergencies. Cauda equina can result in extreme paralysis, making it an emergency situation. Infection, trauma, tumor, or persistent compression of nerve roots in the lower spine cause it. Severe back pain, sexual dysfunction, rapid loss of bowel and bladder control, and lower body weakness or numbness are all symptoms.

Other Reasons When Spine Surgery is Necessary 

• A spinal infection, or a high temperature accompanied by back pain, can indicate a spinal infection.
• A degenerative spinal disorder that causes adverse effects such as weakness, such as stenosis.
• A slipped disc that isn’t improving on its own.
• Bone spurs in your spine exert pressure on your spinal cord.
• You may have arm and limb weakness or numbness.
• You are having difficulty walking or moving your hands.
• You’ve lost control of your bladder or bowels due to an issue with your back’s nerves.
• Your backbone has been shattered or dislocated.
• You have a tumor in your spinal cord.

Treatment Options for Spinal Fractures

Treatment depends on the severity of the fracture, and it often takes up to 12 weeks to heal. You’ll need physical therapy and will need to wear a back brace.

However, sometimes conservative treatments aren’t enough. You can often have lingering pain, along with numbness and tingling. If you have a spinal fracture, talk to a spine surgeon right away. There are minimally invasive options like laser spine surgery that can fix the damage and speed up the recovery process.

Questions Doctors Will Ask

When consulting with our doctors, they will ask you several questions to assess your condition:

• How severe is the pain?
• How frequently does it occur?
• When does it arrive, during the day or at night?
• Does it reach the leg, and if so, which leg and how bad is it?
• Is it tough to walk because of it?

In the best-case scenario, the imaging findings match the symptoms. The success rate of surgery in this situation is high. Whether you undergo surgery or not, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce your chances of experiencing back pain in the future. You can assist your spine and surrounding tissues to stay healthy if you keep a healthy body weight, exercise regularly, consume a nutritious diet, and don’t smoke.

Understanding the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Back Pain

Back pain affects millions, but not all cases are the same. Let’s break down the key differences:

Acute Back Pain

• Duration: Short-lived, lasting a few days up to 12 weeks.
• Symptoms: Often intense but temporary, with no long-term impact on functionality.
• Causes: Typically stemming from sudden injuries or strains.

In most instances, acute back pain resolves on its own or with minimal treatment.

Chronic Back Pain

• Duration: Persistent, continuing for 12 weeks or longer.
• Symptoms: Often less intense than acute pain but more relentless, potentially affecting daily activities.
• Causes: May develop from an acute injury but doesn’t subside with standard treatments.

In summary, the primary distinction lies in the duration and persistence of symptoms. Acute back pain is short-term and usually heals without lasting effects, while chronic back pain continues well beyond the initial injury, often requiring more comprehensive management strategies.

What are the Dangers of Undergoing Back Surgery?

Back surgery is more complicated than many other forms of surgery because it is performed so near to the nervous system. Sure there can be complications, but they are extremely rare with our surgeons. The amount of time it takes to recover depends on the type of surgery and your pre-operation condition, but as mentioned previously, our patients recover quicker than the national average.

Understanding Spinal Stenosis and Its Symptoms

Having numbness or weakness in your legs is not a symptom you’ll want to ignore for a long period. Conditions like spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the spine, can cause these issues. Spinal stenosis typically occurs with age and can happen in any part of your spine, but most commonly, it occurs in your lower back or lumbar area.

If you have lumbar spinal stenosis, you’ll often notice you have trouble walking long distances. You’ll also find that when you lean forward, it relieves some of the pressure you feel in your back.

Symptoms to Watch For:

• Constant numbness and weakness in your legs
• Loss of sensation in your feet
• Burning pain that runs down into your legs

Numbness and weakness can also be caused by disc herniation, tumors, or infections of the spine. If you have ongoing numbness or weakness in your legs, you’ll need to see a spine doctor for a thorough evaluation of your spine.

Why Should You Choose the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute?

We seek to assist patients by providing professional surgical opinions, and if surgery is not required, we assist our patients in navigating alternative relevant options.  At our practice, we are dedicated to collaborating with our patients to explore non-surgical methods for pain relief. That method works in around 90% of our patients, and patients are able to resume an active lifestyle with little or no pain. However, surgical intervention is required in around 10% of our patients. While back surgery isn’t for everyone, it’s an option worth considering if other treatment options aren’t effective for you. If you have back pain affecting the quality of your life, it’s time to talk to a spine doctor about your symptoms.

The spine doctors in our practice are extensively educated in spine treatments and undertake a wide range of standard and minimally invasive spine surgeries. Based on the outcome parameters we track on our patients, we routinely get great results, and you can view many of our patient video testimonials.

Infection rates, for example, which is always a risk with any sort of surgery, are far lower than the national rate, and our recovery times are faster than the national rate too. Minimally invasive surgery is carried out using specialized equipment through a few small incisions. Patients frequently experience less pain and recover faster as a result of our proven procedures.  A spine team of experts evaluates each patient’s condition to assess whether the patient is a candidate for minimally invasive surgery.

Summary

If you’re experiencing persistent back pain or spinal issues that impact your daily life, contacting the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute for an evaluation could be a transformative step toward relief and recovery. Our specialized team of orthopedic and spine experts employs state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and personalized care to assess your condition thoroughly. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, limited mobility, or complex spinal deformities, our comprehensive evaluation will determine if surgical intervention is necessary to improve your quality of life. At Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute, we prioritize your comfort and well-being, offering cutting-edge treatments tailored to your unique needs. Don’t let spinal issues hold you back—take the first step towards a more comfortable and active life by scheduling a consultation with us today.

Finally, the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute with offices in Dallas, Plano, and Frisco, Texas is capable of handling every spine condition, from the most basic to the most complicated, all within the same health system. Do you want to stop the pain?  Call us and make an appointment.

____________________

Novant Health – When Spine Surgery is Necessary
Harvard University – When is Back Surgery the Right Choice