Learn why surgery should be thought of as a last resort for back pain, when it is necessary, and 4 easy, non-surgical treatments.
If you're one of the millions of people who experience back pain each year, remember you aren't alone. It's one of the most common reasons to miss work or visit a doctor. You may think surgery is inevitable, but in reality, only a small minority of patients require surgery for back pain. Typically, you can resolve your back pain issues within four to 6 weeks if you seek the advice of a physician. While surgery can be necessary for treating certain life-threatening issues and preventing permanent nerve damage in patients who have certain "red flag" symptoms, many patients still experience pain after recovering from surgery. A 2018 medical literature review reported the failure rate for lumbar spinal surgery ranges between 10-46%.
Most physicians consider surgery a last resort and only after trying more conservative methods for about a year. These effective treatments include:
Before referring a patient to a neurosurgeon, we frequently have them assessed for psychological issues. If you're often anxious or struggle with depression, you have a higher risk of pain, including back pain. Studies indicate that if you can improve the anxiety and depression with appropriate treatments, your pain level will also improve. Such treatments include:
Signs that indicate surgery is necessary include: Severe or progressive motor weakness:This occurs when you cannot move one of your arms or legs or it's very difficult to do so. True motor weakness isn't when you avoid moving one of your limbs because it causes more pain. Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome:This includes numbness, tingling or weakness in your saddle region -- the parts of your body that would touch a horse while riding it. Loss of bladder or bowel control is another common symptom of this syndrome. It's vital that you seek the advice of a physician when you experience back pain. The doctor will advise you on the most effective ways to resolve the pain quickly and to improve your quality of life.
Dr. Eric DePopas, MD‚
Chief Medical Officer
Vascular & Interventional Radiologist