When Do You Need Spine Surgery?

Back pain is the most common medical condition around the world and the leading cause of disability. It can start from a bit of pain and be the worst pain you have ever felt. 8 out of 10 people in the United States suffer from it. Reasons for back pain can vary from person to person.

You might have slept on your stomach or lifted something heavy. It does not have specific causes, but the most common cause is injury to muscles or ligaments and being overweight.

Cases of back pain have increased significantly to the point where non-surgical treatments may not be effective for all patients. In such cases, spine surgeries can be a viable option to help with the pain and improve quality of life.

How Common is Back Pain?

The World Health Organization says that more than half a billion people (600+ million) suffer globally from back pain. According to the National Institutes of Health, around 23% of global adults suffer from chronic lower back pain.

The same study also shows that 84% of the adults may face back pain at some point. These high numbers of back pain are estimated to rise to 843 million by 2050. Most back pain cases fall into the category of non-specific back pain.

Back pain is categorized in terms of its duration -

• Acute back - lasts less than 6 weeks
• Subacute back pain - lasts between 6 and 12 weeks
• Chronic back pain - lasts for more than 12 weeks

What Age Groups are Most Prone to Experiencing Back Pain?

Back pain can be experienced at any age in a person's life. Your chances of getting back pain will tend to rise as you get older. People between the ages of 50–55 years suffer the most from back pain. It is more common among people who are not physically fit, as their muscles may not properly support the spine.

One should only opt for spine surgery when other treatments such as physical therapy, home exercises, and medications have not worked. Most of the patients feel relief with these non-surgical methods.

However, the decision to undergo spine surgery depends on several factors, such as the severity of the pain, the individual's overall health status, and the potential risks and benefits associated with the surgery. Before making any decision, you must consult an expert spine surgeon who can evaluate your condition and offer the best possible treatment for you.

Benefits of Spine Surgery

There are different types of spine surgeries, and every surgery aims to improve the quality of life.

Some of the benefits of Spine Surgery are -

• Less pain and numbness
• Less dependence on medication
• Improvement in physical and mental health

Risks of Spine Surgery

• Sudden onset of paralysis, loss of bowel or bladder control, and severe neurological deficits
• Bleeding, infection, nerve damage, and reactions to anesthesia
• Blood clots

Types of Spine Surgery

Spine surgery is most commonly performed by Orthopedic and Neurosurgeons. Some of the most common spine surgeries are - 

1. Laminectomy - Removal of some or most of the spinal cord
2. Microdiscectomy - Surgery that aims to relieve pain in a spine nerve caused by a herniated disc or some other reason
3. Fusion - Surgery that connects two or more vertebrae

Who Should Consider Spine Surgery?

When a person still feels constant pain, dysfunction, or neurological symptoms, that is when a person should think about spine surgery.

Here are some common reasons why you might require a spine surgery are:

• Failure of Conservative Treatments: When non-surgical treatments, such as physical therapy, medications, and lifestyle modifications, fail to provide relief from chronic back pain or other spinal issues, then surgery may be considered.
• Structural Issues: Certain structural problems of the spine, such as scoliosis, kyphosis, or instability, may require surgical intervention to restore stability and alignment.
• Herniated Disc: When a disc in the spine bulges or ruptures, it can pressure nearby nerves and cause pain, weakness, or numbness.
• Spinal Tumor: A spinal tumor is an abnormal growth that develops from tissues in the spine. There are two types of spinal tumors: Primary and Metastatic Spinal Tumors. To treat these tumors, spine surgery is recommended.

Conclusion

Spine surgery is a tough decision to make and can be life-changing; it might not be the only option for back pain, but it depends upon various factors. However, it may not be the only solution for back pain and should be considered based on the severity of the condition. Thanks to advanced technologies, such as minimally invasive spine surgery and robot-assisted spine surgery, the success rate has increased to 90%.