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When Is It Necessary?

When is Back Surgery Necessary?

Spinal surgery is typically recommended when a patient’s back pain, neck pain, or other symptoms have become debilitating and all other conservative treatments have been exhausted. Before surgery is considered, it is also important that the source of the problem has been clearly identified and properly diagnosed, normally through medical imagery such as an MRI or CT scan. In fact, spine surgery is typically seen as an elective procedure unless the patient is experiencing severe neurological problems or incontinence.

Barring the need for emergency spinal surgery for a condition such as cauda equina syndrome, a physician will typically try and manage the patient’s symptoms with a nonsurgical treatment plan which can include physical therapy, pain medication, or steroidal injections. Only if the patient’s pain is not sufficiently alleviated after a lengthy trial will surgical intervention be considered.

Back surgery can become necessary to treat pain stemming from a number of sources, such as:

  • Disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, and other disc disorders
  • Spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and facet disease
  • The presence of tumor, infection, or bone spurs
  • Spinal fracture or instability
  • Nerve compression, sciatica, or pinched nerves
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Once the source of the discomfort has been identified, the patient needs to explore all of their surgical options. Traditionally, open back surgeries – like discectomy and spinal fusion – have been recommended to correct disorders and alleviate pain, but these surgeries are massively invasive and can include lengthy periods of recovery. Alternatively, endoscopic surgery has become a popular option for dealing with many of the causes of back pain and neck pain. These minimally invasive, outpatient procedures use the latest techniques and gentle lasers to correct back and neck problems without the lasting effects of regular open back surgery.

Clearly, the decision to undergo spinal surgery is not to be taken likely, but the option of endoscopic surgery may make the decision a little easier. Contact the award-winning staff at Laser Spine Institute (LSI) to learn more about endoscopic spine surgery and for a free review of your MRI or CT scan.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.

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Have you been in pain for 6 months or more?

Have you seen an orthopedic or neurosurgeon who has recommended that you have surgery to correct your condition?

Have you had an MRI or CT scan in the last 5 years?

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