How to Know When You Might Need Spine Surgery

By  //  February 28, 2022

If you have a condition that causes back or neck pain, it could be time to explore spine surgery treatment. How do you know when you might need spinal surgery? Let us find out.

See a Medical Professional and Try Other Treatments First

Before you can know whether spine surgery is the right option for helping your back or neck pain, you first need to be evaluated by your primary care physician. 

Your physician could recommend you see a specialist. Regardless, the first step a medical professional will suggest is maintaining good and stable physical activity to see if your condition improves or becomes resolved. If it does not, you could be prescribed over-the-counter treatments. 

Many people with spine problems can be treated without the need for surgery. Exercise, physical therapy, and medication should usually be tried before considering spine surgery. But if the condition is not resolved by other methods, surgery becomes a good option.

Conditions That Can Be Treated with Spine Surgery

Some spinal conditions are better suited for spine surgery than others, so your specific condition will need to be considered when determining whether you might need surgery. However, multiple conditions can be helped with traditional or laser spine surgery options.

They include cervical radiculopathy, sciatica, brain and spine cancers, herniated discs, curvature of the spine, spinal deformities, spinal stenosis, congenital spine disorders, degenerative disc diseases, and spinal stability conditions.

The Two Main Types of Spine Surgery

There are two main types of spine surgery that you could have to treat your spinal condition: traditional spine surgery and minimally invasive laser spine surgery.

The former involves completely exposing the anatomy during surgery while the latter exposes less anatomy. Minimally invasive laser spine surgery leaves a smaller scar and patients typically recover faster than with traditional spine surgery. 

Furthermore, minimally invasive spine surgery often involves surgeons using additional aids like intraoperative spinal navigation, which enables them to gain greater visibility into the required area but with limited exposure. 

Not every patient or condition is suitable for minimally invasive laser spine surgery, though, in which case traditional spine surgery would be the best option. Regardless of which type of spine surgery you have, it can help to resolve your symptoms.

So, how do you know when you might need spine surgery?

Once you have tried other treatments like regular exercise and over-the-counter medication, and it has not resolved your neck or back pain, you should consult with a specialist to find out whether spine surgery is the best course of action.

Your specific condition and other health factors will be taken into consideration. Not every condition can be treated with surgery. 

Only by discussing your situation with a medical professional and undergoing tests will you know if spine surgery is the best option. Your specific circumstances and condition could also determine which kind of spine surgery you undergo.

While minimally invasive laser spine surgery can be used to treat the majority of spinal conditions that result in back or neck pain, some conditions will be better suited to traditional spine surgery.

The Takeaway

If you have back or neck pain, consult a medical professional to explore your treatment options. After other treatments have been exhausted, spine surgery could be recommended to treat your condition and alleviate the pain you have been experiencing. 

The worst thing that you can do is to do nothing. If you want your symptoms to get better, seek help.