Do you often have back pain? Sometimes the pain can be unbearable. At such times, you may think, "Oh, if only I could get an operation for this, it would be over." But is surgery really necessary for all back pain? Or is it the last resort? Let's talk about this a little, because this is a problem that many people have.
Many back problems can be treated without surgery.
The best thing to say first is that most back pain does not progress to surgery . This means that the condition can often be managed with other simple treatments without resorting to surgery.
Imagine you've started having back pain. When you go to a doctor, he doesn't immediately suggest surgery. The first thing he tries is:
- Ice or heat: These methods help reduce pain and swelling.
- Spinal Injections: There are types of injections that are given directly to the area of pain.
- Physical Therapy: This is very important. Special exercises that strengthen the muscles around the spine and increase the flexibility of the spine are done under the supervision of a physical therapist.
- Medication: Your doctor may recommend painkillers (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen and Diclofenac.
- Exercise: Research has even found that proper, regular exercise can reduce back pain and prevent its recurrence.
Typically, unless you have a serious spinal cord injury, a doctor will only recommend surgery if all other treatments have been tried and have not yielded successful results.
So in what cases is surgery necessary?
"So what kind of people need surgery?" you may be wondering. Yes, there are some situations where surgery is definitely necessary. The table below lists some of the main reasons why your doctor may recommend that you see an orthopedic surgeon .
| Condition or symptom | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Slipped Disc | When it persists and does not respond to other treatments, it can lead to nerve compression. |
| Bone spurs in the spine | When conditions such as arthritis cause small bone spurs in the spine to grow and press on the spinal cord. |
| Spinal stenosis | With age, the spinal canal narrows, causing symptoms such as weakness in the limbs due to compression of the nerves within it. |
| Numbness or weakness in the limbs | Loss of sensation or strength in the arms or legs due to compression of a spinal nerve. |
| Difficulty walking or using your hands | Loss of balance when walking or difficulty performing delicate tasks with hands due to a back problem. |
| Inability to control urine or stool | This is a very serious condition and can be caused by damage to the spinal nerves. |
| Spinal Infection | A high fever along with back pain may be a symptom of this. |
| A broken bone or sprain in the spine | When it happens due to a sudden cause such as an accident. |
| A tumor in the spine | Nerve compression due to a tumor on the spinal cord. |
But remember, seeing a specialist doesn't mean you're ready for surgery. It's a great opportunity to learn more about your condition and your treatment options. Sometimes the specialist may say, "You don't need surgery yet, let's do some more physical therapy."
If I have surgery, is there a right time for it?
In most cases, back surgery is not something that needs to be done immediately. For example, if you have a herniated disc, your doctor may recommend waiting about 6 weeks before surgery. During that time, they will give your body a chance to heal on its own and see if things like physical therapy will help.
However, there are times when surgery is needed urgently.
Sometimes, surgery needs to be done sooner rather than later. These are cases like:
- If you have severe, unbearable, persistent pain .
- Symptoms that indicate nerve damage include a condition called 'foot drop' , which is a feeling that the lower part of the leg is hanging down uncontrollably from the ankle.
- If there is serious damage to the spinal cord .
At a time like this, the doctor will not want to delay the surgery. If you have any doubts about whether you need surgery or not, it is never a bad idea to seek a second opinion from another specialist .
The most important thing is that if the doctor recommends that you need surgery and you postpone it, it could cause more problems.
Simply put, the spinal cord inside your spine is a very sensitive bundle of nerves. These nerves need to receive oxygen and nutrients to function properly. If blood flow to these nerves is reduced due to a compression in the spine, they can be permanently damaged. This can lead to lifelong conditions such as weakness in the limbs. That is why surgery should not be delayed if necessary.
Finally, whether you have surgery or not, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can go a long way in preventing future back problems. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly , eating a nutritious diet, and avoiding smoking can all help keep your spine healthy.
Take-Home Message
- Most back pain can be treated without surgery with simple treatments such as exercise, physical therapy, and medication.
- Surgery is usually only recommended when other treatments have failed or in severe conditions that affect the nerves.
- Seeing a specialist is not a sign-off on surgery, but rather the best opportunity to learn more about your condition and the options available.
- If your doctor recommends surgery, delaying it unnecessarily risks permanent nerve damage.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle (proper weight, exercise, good diet) is very important for the health of your back.
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