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If you’re experiencing back pain that stems from your spine, you want to find answers that allow you to return to normal life. After failed non-surgical attempts at recovery, you may consider spine surgery. Back surgery is an ideal solution for some people, but it may not be the right fit for everyone. The following is helpful information to consider when deciding if back surgery could be for you.
The answer to the question, “Is lower back surgery dangerous?” is both yes and no. Every surgical procedure has risks, including spinal surgery. The nature of spinal surgery increases the risk of severe complications compared to other procedures. Spinal surgery happens at and around sensitive areas in the spine and spinal cord. The most significant risks you could face if an error occurs during surgery include paralysis or a spinal infection.
Much of the potential danger in a spinal surgery links to the potential bodily risks if something goes wrong during the procedure. The spine and spinal cord play pivotal roles in bodily strength, sensation and movement. Mistakes or complications during surgery could impair one or more of these functions. In addition to these dangers, a more involved surgical procedure could present more significant risks than a simple procedure. Aside from danger, one of the paramount concerns for back surgery is whether or not it is successful.
Surgery may be considered for severe lower back pain that does not get better after a 6 to12-week course of nonsurgical treatments. It is almost always the patient’s decision to have back surgery, and only in rare situations is immediate surgery performed for low back pain.
By the time you sign up for back surgery, your doctor will probably have tried a number of treatments to ease your back pain or lower body weakness. While there are no guarantees the operation will provide relief, there are lots of options. Learn as much as you can about back surgery ahead of time. The more you know, the better the choice you’ll make.
Often, the result is more than just a drop in pain. You may find: