WHEN SHOULD YOU TALK TO A SPINE SURGEON ABOUT BACK SURGERY?

October 25, 2019 | By: Raleigh Orthopaedic Team

Do you have chronic or recurring back pain that hasn’t improved with noninvasive, conservative treatments? These non-surgical treatments include:

  • Physical Therapy
  • Core and flexibility exercise programs
  • Back braces
  • Reduced activity
  • Heat/Ice
  • Medications
  • Injections

It may be time to think about exploring additional options if you have tried the above treatments and are still not experiencing any relief, such as back surgery.  

Typically, after determining the diagnosis, back pain treatment begins with the help of non-operative pain management physicians who pinpoint what is wrong and construct a plan involving noninvasive options to help your body heal naturally over time. 

Raleigh Orthopaedic collaborates with Carolina Spine Center. They work in the same clinic in Raleigh as the spine surgeons on Edwards Mill Road, and it is not uncommon for them to walk down the hall and knock on the doors of their colleagues to discuss possible next steps, like back surgery. 

Raleigh Orthopaedic’s goal is to explore appropriate options to lessen suffering and improve quality of life during each stage of your treatment.

spine doctor Raleigh

Signs that it’s time to consider back surgery

You don’t need to live with chronic back pain. If you are suffering from any of these conditions or symptoms, please speak with your Raleigh Orthopaedic spine surgeon:

  • Muscle weakness
  • Tingling and numbness in your arms and/or legs
  • Bladder and/or bowel incontinence
  • Trouble walking and/or using your hands
  • Bone spurs on your spine
  • A herniated disk that isn’t getting better
  • Broken vertebrae
  • Stenosis

Surgical emergencies

Surgical emergencies for back pain are extremely rare but they do occur. If you are experiencing a loss in bowel and/or bladder control or developing progressive weakness in the legs, these symptoms constitute a medical emergency and require immediate surgery. Please make an appointment with a spine surgeon right away.

Exploring surgical options for severe back pain

Surgery is never your only option for treating back pain. As counterintuitive as it may seem, good spine surgeons will always suggest that you try viable, less invasive alternatives before proposing back surgery.

Our orthopedic spine surgeons do not recommend surgery unless the expected benefits outweigh the potential risks. Make an appointment to talk with an expert to learn more on the pros and cons of having back surgery to relieve pain.

Schedule an appointment

Your well-being is important to us. Click the button below or call us to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists. If your injury or condition is recent, you can walk right into one of our Raleigh Orthopaedic Urgent Care locations for immediate care. For rehabilitation and physical therapy, no referral is needed to see one of our physical therapists.