Spine Surgery: Is it Safe?

The main reason for spine surgery or neck surgery is to correct an anatomical lesion in individuals who fail to show improvement with conservative treatment like icing, massage, physical therapy or anti-inflammatory drugs.  If you have pain without the presence of an anatomical lesion, spine surgery is not an option for you.  If you are a patient who has the need to change your anatomy, like repairing a herniated disc, then spine surgery is something that you should look into.

How safe is spine surgery?  With the spine being in as delicate of a position as it is, the chance for mistakes runs high.  While most minor procedure spine surgeries are successful, the more intense procedures run a much higher risk.  In July of 2004, The Burton Report, published by Lippincott stated that "The world of spinal medicine, unfortunately, is producing patients with failed back surgery syndrome at an alarming rate" (Vol. 12, No. 7, pp.79).  Some of the reported problems that patients have faced after their spine surgeries include; lateral spine stenosis, central stenosis (including fusion over growth) and recurrent or persistent disc herniation. 

Minimally invasive spine surgery is being performed more often than in the past.  Conventional spine surgery requires a long incision and a lengthy, difficult recovery period.  However, with a minimally invasive surgery, or “keyhole” surgery, a thin telescope-like instrument, called an endoscope is inserted into a much smaller incision.  The endoscope is connected to camera that is smaller than the size of dime which provides a close up view, projected onto a television screen for the physician to have a better look at your spine.  The incisions are sutured up quickly, allowing a faster and easier recovery time.   While keyhole surgery is not for major spinal procedures, a patient is a prime candidate for this minimally invasive surgery if he or she has been diagnosed with scoliosis, herniated disks or if you require spinal fusion caused by degenerative disks. 

The main reason for spine surgery or neck surgery is to correct an anatomical lesion in individuals who fail to show improvement with conservative treatment like icing, massage, physical therapy or anti-inflammatory drugs.  If you have pain without the presence of an anatomical lesion, spine surgery is not an option for you.  If you are a patient who has the need to change your anatomy, like repairing a herniated disc, then spine surgery is something that you should look into.