Woman rubbing her back pain

Does Spine Surgery Work?

Back pain is a common condition that affects more than 80% of adults at some point in their lives. In fact, the majority of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lifetime. The causes can vary widely: from arthritis to poor posture or an old sports injury. A question that might first come to mind is, does spine surgery work?

 

 

Many people also suffer from degenerative disc disease, which involves the deterioration of the discs between vertebrae and can lead to chronic pain if left untreated. Spine surgery is one option for treating back pain and helping improve your quality of life. 

 

 

There are different types of spine surgeries that involve either removing part of a damaged disc (such as discectomy) or inserting screws or rods into damaged joints (such as spinal fusion). 

 

 

However, there’s no one-size-fits-all procedure—each person reacts differently to different treatments based on their age, symptoms, underlying health issues (such as diabetes), and ability level.

Spine surgery may improve symptoms of back pain.

Surgery is a treatment option for many people with back pain. It can help relieve symptoms, improve function and prevent future surgeries. But surgery isn’t always effective, and it may not be right for everyone.

 

Surgery can be very helpful in some cases of spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) or spinal degeneration that causes nerve compression and pain. 

 

The goal of surgery is to relieve pressure on your nerves by removing bone spurs or other tissue from around them so they have more room to move freely within your spine’s bony canal.

Physical therapist helping a patient

It can help reduce the need for future surgeries.

If you have a herniated disc and it’s pressing on your spine, there’s a chance that if left untreated, it may cause additional damage to your spine. This can lead to more pain and discomfort as well as other health problems in the long run.

 

Surgery also has a high success rate at alleviating symptoms of spinal stenosis or degeneration–two common causes of lower back pain–and improving mobility so that you can continue doing the things that make life worth living.

 

Things like working out and playing with your kids without having to worry about how much pain it will cause later on down the road when those activities become too much for your body to handle without some sort of intervention (i.e., getting surgery).

Results vary widely, and there is no single procedure that works for everyone.

Surgery is not a cure-all. While it may be helpful for some people, it can’t solve all back problems and often isn’t necessary. Surgery should only be considered after you’ve tried other treatments like physical therapy and medications.

 

Physical therapy is one of the most important parts of recovery after surgery because it helps strengthen your muscles so they don’t pull on your spine as much when you move around or lift things. It also teaches you exercises that keep your spine flexible and strong so it won’t get injured again in the future.

Doctor talking with a patient about spine surgery benefits

Surgery may not be right if you have a more serious condition.

If you’re considering surgery for spinal stenosis, it’s important to know that it won’t always be effective. If you have cancer or a more serious medical condition that has spread to your spine, surgery may not be safe or effective.

 

If you have pain caused by something other than spinal stenosis (such as nerve damage or arthritis), surgery might not help. And if your doctor thinks that surgery would be too risky because of your age or other factors (like smoking), it’s best to talk about other treatment options instead.

You should be able to work closely with your surgeon and have regular checkups.

If you’re considering having surgery to treat your spine, it’s important to learn as much as you can about the procedure and its possible outcomes before making your decision. 

 

Ask what risks are involved, how long recovery might take, and what your surgeon’s recommendations are for a course of action during that period.

 

Discuss these things with your doctor in detail so that you have a clear understanding of what to expect from the surgery.

 

You should also be sure that you have an open line of communication with everyone involved in your care. This will help ensure smooth sailing after surgery.

If you’re considering spine surgery, prepare for it to be a long-term commitment.

Spine surgery is not a quick fix–it can take months and even years to recover from this type of procedure. The recovery time depends on what kind of procedure is performed, but most patients need at least several weeks off work before they feel comfortable returning to normal activities and exercise routines.

 

You may also notice that your body won’t heal as quickly as expected after your surgery; some people experience pain or muscle spasms in their backs even after the incision has healed (this is called postoperative pain). 

 

This can make it difficult for patients who have undergone complex procedures like spinal fusion surgeries or disc replacement operations because these types of surgeries require a significant amount of time before the bones start healing properly together or scar tissue begins forming around artificial joints such as those used during spinal fusion procedures.

In conclusion.

If you’re considering spine surgery, be sure to discuss all of the risks and benefits with your doctor. You should also have regular checkups after the procedure to make sure it has worked as well as possible.


Spine surgery may improve symptoms of back pain and reduce the need for future surgeries, but results vary widely and there is no single procedure that works for everyone. If you have a more serious condition than spinal stenosis or herniated discs, surgery may not be right for you.


You should prepare for spine surgery to be a long-term commitment, especially if your surgeon plans on using plates or screws in your back.