When is it time for back surgery?

woman sitting on bed with hands on back in pain woman sitting on bed with hands on back in pain
Fact or myth: Surgery is the most common “fix” for back or neck pain?

Myth! Back and neck pain, no matter the cause, usually are not “fixed” by surgery. In fact, statistics show approximately 80 to 90 percent of people experiencing back or neck pain do not need surgery, as it will not alleviate the cause of the pain.

Surgery is, however, recommended to reduce or alleviate the effects the pain causes in the arms (neck pain) or legs (back pain). Over time, discs can wear down or herniate and vertebrae (back bones) can become unstable. This may affect nerves in the spinal canal because the bone or disc could be putting pressure on the nerves in the spinal canal. For these reasons, people can have issues with numbness, tingling, weakness or pain in the arms and legs. 

Surgery will help to take pressure off of these nerves and help to relieve the symptoms caused by the instability of the discs and/or vertebrae. Please contact  Prevea Spine Center if you have any questions about your back or neck, as well as any symptoms in your arms or legs.