Spine Surgery: Types, Risks, Recovery & When Surgery Is Recommended

Though many patients with back pain benefit significantly from conservative treatment with physical therapy and occasional medication use, some patients have conditions causing their back pain that do not respond to non-surgical treatment. The specific type of surgeries recommended often depend on the patient and condition at hand, and patients with back pain that is not responsive to rest, physical therapy, and over-the-counter pain medications may benefit from further testing and, in some cases, surgery to help relieve their pain (1). This article discusses some of the common types of spine surgery, their risks, and the path to recovery following spine surgery. It will also outline when surgery may be recommended, though if you believe you may be in need of spine surgery, you should seek help from a licensed physician.

Historically, spine surgery requires large open incisions with long recovery times and higher risks for patients. Modern approaches emphasize minimizing the risk of surgery by leveraging advances in imaging technology, robotics, and other pieces of evolving medical technology. The following are some of the most common, cutting-edge techniques available to maximize the benefits of spine surgery:

• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
• Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Though spine surgery can be life-changing for some patients, for others, surgery comes with complications or limited benefit. If you are considering spine surgery, you should consult with a licensed spine surgeon to discuss how these risks apply to you and your body.

Some of the more common risks of back surgery include:

• Persistent pain following surgery (in 10-40% of patients) (1)
• Increased rates of reoperation
• Wound-related complications
• Infections

Rare but severe complications can include:

• Post-operative bleeding (requiring transfusion)
• New neurologic deficits (numbness or weakness)
• Blood clots
• Cardiac events

Spine surgery may be an appropriate option for patients with back pain who have not improved with conservative treatment measures like physical therapy and pain medications. Typically, patients with non-specific back pain without signs of nerve compression.

Patients with radicular symptoms, involving pain, numbness, weakness, or decreased reflexes in an arm or leg, often have compression around the spinal nerve root and as such may benefit from surgery.

Patients with myelopathic symptoms, including loss of coordination, loss of bowel/bladder control, or more generalized limb weakness, often have compression of the spinal cord itself and may benefit from surgery to decrease pressure on the cord.