Spine surgery can improve your quality of life if you are experiencing severe pain.
If you experience symptoms such as persistent pain, neurological symptoms such as numbness or weakness, progressive loss of function, and impaired bowel or bladder control, you should undergo spine surgery.
Persistent back pain is a widespread problem that affects many people and significantly hinders their daily lives. If the usual treatments such as medications, exercises, and lifestyle changes do not help after six weeks or more, spinal surgery may be considered as a last resort. If you experience symptoms such as persistent pain, neurological symptoms such as numbness or weakness, progressive loss of function, and impaired bowel or bladder control, you should opt for spinal surgery. In terms of pain management assessment, the severity of the pain, previous treatment failures, and current health status need to be noted.
Before undergoing a spinal surgery, it is necessary to consult a good spinal surgeon. While traditional methods such as medications, exercises, and lifestyle changes can help curb back pain, in cases of unbearable pain, it is necessary to look for new ways. Dr. Ashish Dagar, Consultant Spine Surgeon at Manipal Hospital, Gurugram, shares several symptoms that may indicate that you need a spinal surgery. They are as follows:
- Changes in bowel or bladder control:
Spinal surgery becomes critical if bowel or bladder control is impaired. Any delay in surgery could lead to permanent loss of these two abilities. It is important to identify these problems early enough and schedule surgery to prevent further deaths.
- Numbness or weakness in the extremities:
Tingling, numbness, and weakness in the extremities may be related to the lower part of the back, called the lumbar spine. Sometimes, a ruptured or bulging disk can get too close to a spinal nerve, causing discomfort and changes in nerve function.
Spine surgery may be necessary in cases where there is severe pain caused by a torn muscle or ligament. These strong cords are made of tough, fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones to make the body move. The back can become painful and unstable once these cords have been stretched beyond their limits.
- Difficulty in daily activities:
If you have regular difficulties performing daily activities due to back pain and it interferes with your lifestyle and freedom, it is important to visit an expert. Visiting a spine surgeon will help you identify the problem and offer you options such as surgery to improve mobility.
Dr. Dagar explains common conditions requiring spinal treatment:
- Degenerative disc disease is a condition in which one or more of the discs between the vertebrae break down.
- A herniated disc refers to an injury in which there is at least one damaged disc supporting the spine.
- Vertebral fractures can be the result of injuries or osteoporosis.
- Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows and puts pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves.
- Spondylolisthesis occurs when one bone slips forward over another.
Spine surgery can improve your quality of life if you are experiencing severe pain.
