How do you know when you need spine surgery?

When someone comes to us with symptoms of extremity, we almost always suggest that they get the first assessment with their primary care doctor. If an individual has low back pain or neck pain, we generally watch them over time and promote them to keep healthy, stable physical activity in order to see if the problem is solved. If the problem is not solved through physical activity, counter-treatment, or pain management and anti-inflammatory medication, the next step would be to see a doctor for an assessment.

Time and surgery are the only two things that are really proven to help a patient with spine problems. While your body fixes it naturally, everything else is used to manage symptoms. If it isn't fixed by your body, surgery becomes a useful choice.

Conservatively and non-surgically, the vast majority of patients with spine problems can be treated. With very few exceptions, before considering surgery, we recommend that all patients try physical therapy, home exercises, medication and often spinal injections.

If the individual has issues with his or her spinal cord, has important weakness in an arm or leg or limb, or if he or she has attempted all the conservative treatments and has been ineffective, we may suggest going to surgery straight.