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Surgery
is seldom used to treat low back pain. In most cases, the cause of low back pain
cannot be helped by surgery.
Most
back surgeries are performed to treat herniated discs. Still, most people with
herniated discs do not need surgery. Herniated disc surgery may be used when a
disc problem is causing severe and disabling sciatica. For more information, see
the topic Herniated Disc
Surgery
is sometimes done to treat spinal stenosis if it is causing severe symptoms. As
with herniated disc, most people with spinal stenosis do not need surgery. For
more information, see the topic Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.
Surgery
may also be considered in more unusual situations, as in the case of:
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A
spinal fracture caused by an injury.
-
A
spinal infection, such as osteomyelitis or an abscess.
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An
"unstable spine" condition, such as spondylolisthesis.
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A
spinal tumor.
Rehabilitation
after surgery
A
comprehensive rehabilitation program is very important after most back surgery.
As you regain flexibility, recondition your back and stomach muscles, and
increase your endurance for activity, you increase your chances of treatment
success.
If
you are unable or unwilling to commit to physical therapy after surgery, you may
not be a good candidate for surgery.
Surgery
Choices
If
nonsurgical treatment has not been successful and your doctor suggests that you
consider surgery, the type of procedure he or she recommends will depend on the
cause of your back problems and the experience and preference of the surgeon.
For more information, see: Should
I have surgery for a herniated disc?
-
Spinal
stenosis surgery (spinal decompression with or without spinal fusion) widens
a narrowed spinal canal and relieves pressure on the spinal cord or a nerve
root.
-
Spinal
fusion (arthrodesis) for spondylolisthesis and other "unstable
spine" conditions joins vertebrae together to relieve pressure on the
spinal cord or a nerve root and to stabilize the spine.
-
Vertebroplasty
or kyphoplasty relieves pain from compression fractures.
-
Surgery
for infection includes debridement with or without joint fusion, or drainage
of an abscess.
-
Disc
replacement surgery removes a spinal disc that is severely damaged by
degenerative disc disease (DDD), and replaces it with an artificial disc.
This is currently only for carefully selected patients, and it is done by
specially trained surgeons.
-
Surgery
for spinal tumors includes tumor removal and stabilization with or without
fusion.
What
To Think About
Back
surgery is not always successful. Depending on the condition, you may still have
back pain after surgery.
If
you and your doctor are considering surgery, get as much information as you can
about possible outcomes, and consider whether you will be willing to participate
in a physical therapy program after surgery. It is also a good idea to get a
second opinion before you decide to have surgery.
Reference
from Healthwise
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