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YOU are here : Home > Spinecare Topics > Options for Spine Treatments > Benefits and Risks of Back Surgery
Spinecare Topics
Options for Spine Treatments
Benefits and Risks of Back Surgery
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Benefits and Risks of Back Surgery
Numerous studies have shown that there is a good correlation between the number of times a procedure is performed by an individual or facility and the lower risk of complications.
What Is the Criteria for Emergency Spine Surgery:
There are numerous presentations that may prompt emergency spine surgery. These conditions include rapid onset extremity numbness with weakness, progressive extremity weakness, paralysis and loss of control of the bowel and/or bladder. As long as extremity symptoms are improving, surgery should be delayed and non-surgical treatment continued. However, surgery should be considered when there is risk of permanent nerve damage that could lead to reduction in quality of life. Spinal tumors or infectious abscesses may require immediate surgery. Spinal trauma leading to disruption of structural elements of the spine causing actual or potential instability after require prompt surgical intervention. Spinal cord trauma secondary to compression of the spinal cord from a herniated disc, bone fragment, or hematoma often requires prompt decompression. Emergency back surgery accounts for less than 5% of back surgeries performed each year in the United States.
When can Spine Surgery be Delayed?
Spine surgery can be delayed in approximately 90%-95% of cases and is thus an elective surgical procedure in this vast percentage of cases. The term elective surgery means that the procedure can be delayed without risk or complications. Delaying surgery may allow the individual an opportunity to pursue a course of conservative care, modify activity, and improve lifestyle in an attempt to help resolve the situation. Some surgeons require a minimal period of waiting and conservative care prior to considering back surgery when it is not an emergency situation. In the absence of weakness, and/or bowel or bladder disturbances, some individuals may still have difficulty bearing with the intractable pain. All reasonable attempts to reduce and control pain should be attempted before proceeding with elective spine surgery. Some individuals may choose not to wait for surgery because of other demands they place on themselves, for example the professional athlete may be less apt to wait for a long period of time.
When Should Back Surgery be Considered?
Most individuals who develop persistent low back pain wonder if they should undergo spine surgery? In the absence of spine trauma, spine infection, muscle weakness, or a disturbance of bowel or bladder function. Most individuals who have neck or back pain should not proceed quickly into surgery without a trial of non-operative care.
Surgery maybe indicated because of a finding on advanced imaging studies such as MRI, CT, or a myelogram. Your attending physician may conclude that you have significant neurological compression secondary to a herniated disc, bone spur, or other mass effect. Surgery might be indicated if you have pain that radiates into the arm or leg that is intractable and has not been responsive to conservative care. Persistent muscle weakness is sometimes an indication for spine surgery. Surgery may be indicated in the presence of intractable back or extremity pain that correlates with abnormalities at particular level of the spine.
What Is the Criteria for Emergency Spine Surgery:
There are numerous presentations that may prompt emergency spine surgery. These conditions include rapid onset extremity numbness with weakness, progressive extremity weakness, paralysis and loss of control of the bowel and/or bladder. As long as extremity symptoms are improving, surgery should be delayed and non-surgical treatment continued. However, surgery should be considered when there is risk of permanent nerve damage that could lead to reduction in quality of life. Spinal tumors or infectious abscesses may require immediate surgery. Spinal trauma leading to disruption of structural elements of the spine causing actual or potential instability after require prompt surgical intervention. Spinal cord trauma secondary to compression of the spinal cord from a herniated disc, bone fragment, or hematoma often requires prompt decompression. Emergency back surgery accounts for less than 5% of back surgeries performed each year in the United States.
When can Spine Surgery be Delayed?
Spine surgery can be delayed in approximately 90%-95% of cases and is thus an elective surgical procedure in this vast percentage of cases. The term elective surgery means that the procedure can be delayed without risk or complications. Delaying surgery may allow the individual an opportunity to pursue a course of conservative care, modify activity, and improve lifestyle in an attempt to help resolve the situation. Some surgeons require a minimal period of waiting and conservative care prior to considering back surgery when it is not an emergency situation. In the absence of weakness, and/or bowel or bladder disturbances, some individuals may still have difficulty bearing with the intractable pain. All reasonable attempts to reduce and control pain should be attempted before proceeding with elective spine surgery. Some individuals may choose not to wait for surgery because of other demands they place on themselves, for example the professional athlete may be less apt to wait for a long period of time.
When Should Back Surgery be Considered?
Most individuals who develop persistent low back pain wonder if they should undergo spine surgery? In the absence of spine trauma, spine infection, muscle weakness, or a disturbance of bowel or bladder function. Most individuals who have neck or back pain should not proceed quickly into surgery without a trial of non-operative care.
Surgery maybe indicated because of a finding on advanced imaging studies such as MRI, CT, or a myelogram. Your attending physician may conclude that you have significant neurological compression secondary to a herniated disc, bone spur, or other mass effect. Surgery might be indicated if you have pain that radiates into the arm or leg that is intractable and has not been responsive to conservative care. Persistent muscle weakness is sometimes an indication for spine surgery. Surgery may be indicated in the presence of intractable back or extremity pain that correlates with abnormalities at particular level of the spine.
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