Millions of people in the US experience back pain annually. Back pain that doesn’t go away despite non-surgical treatments is one of the common types of chronic pain. Surgery is often more effective than non-surgical treatments as it treats the underlying causes of neck and back pain. Therefore, if you are tired of enduring severe pain and nothing is helping, spine surgery New York might be your best option. However, deciding whether you want to undertake the surgery can be difficult. Here is a look at the signs indicating you need to consult a spine specialist to assess if you should undertake spine surgery.
Ineffective Non-Surgical Treatments
If you are struggling with back pain that has not been successfully treated via home remedies, there are a few other non-surgical options you can try before considering spinal surgery. Your doctor won’t recommend spinal surgery before trying other less invasive treatments such as physical therapy, cognitive therapy, acupuncture, spinal injects, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. However, if all these treatments are unsuccessful, it’s time to consider spine surgery.
Pain That Does Not Go Away
Normally, acute back pain persists for several days to a few weeks. However, if you have been experiencing pain for over three weeks and it doesn’t seem to go away, you might need to consider spine surgery.
Back Pain That Radiates to Your Legs and Arms
If your back pain is accompanied by pain in your leg and arm, you have radiculopathy. This is a sign that a spinal nerve root is being pressured. In this situation, spine surgery might be recommended depending on the severity and cause of the condition. The major cause of radiating pain is herniated disks and bone spurs. Bone spurs can form near or around the nerve root, exerting pressure on them. On the other hand, disk herniation happens when the inner layer of the spine protrudes via the fibrous outer, later causing a herniation that can press the nerve root.
A Progressive Spinal Deformity
Spinal deformities are caused by abnormal spinal curvature; the most common deformity in adults is scoliosis. Scoliosis is caused by tears and wears to the back because of previous surgeries or old age. If you have scoliosis and the symptoms of pain, back stiffness, weakness, and numbness worsen despite the treatment, speak to your spine doctor about surgical options.
You Have Decreased Mobility
Persistent backaches can affect your normal mobility. It can often prevent you from playing sports or taking hikes. Back pain can also limit your ability to work, especially in industries that require constant mobility. If back pain is causing you reduced mobility or forcing you to change your life, it’s time to consider spine surgery. The surgery can help relieve the pain, increase mobility, and gain control of your own life.
Ultimately, you should not keep on suffering from chronic back pain. Even if you think your back pain does not need spine surgery, consulting with an experienced healthcare provider is the best way to get the right diagnosis and treatment. Before surgery, you must be properly qualified by an experienced orthopedic spine surgeon and be fully informed of the treatment options. The type of surgery you will undertake will depend on the primary cause of your spine condition.
