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How do I know if I need back surgery?
A degenerative spinal condition like stenosis (narrowing of the protective bony canal around the spinal cord) that's causing side effects, like weakness. Weakness or numbness in your arms and legs. Trouble walking or using your hands.
What is the success rate of spinal surgery?
Depending on the condition the surgery is treating, spinal fusion has a 70 to 90% success rate.
What is the recovery time for back surgery?
On average, back surgery recovery takes 12 weeks. However, it can take up to six months for your back to fully heal, depending on the correction.
How do you know when it’s time to get back surgery?
Bone spurs in your spine (these are often caused by arthritis) that are putting pressure on your spinal cord. A degenerative spinal condition like stenosis (narrowing of the protective bony canal around the spinal cord) that's causing side effects, like weakness.
What percentage of back pain requires surgery?
There are a lot of potential pain generators in the spine: discs, bones, nerves, muscle, and arthritis. Not all of these sensitive areas and progressive problems can be fixed with surgery. In fact, more than 90 percent of back pain is successfully treated nonsurgically.
Why is back surgery not recommended?
One of the primary reasons why back surgery should be avoided is the risk. All surgeries carry the risk of infection, excessive bleeding, and nerve injury. Not to mention many people don't like being put under general anesthesia or that they may have to use potentially addictive pills to manage the pain after surgery.
When does low back pain require surgery?
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.
How Serious Is spinal surgery?
Back surgery can carry higher risks than some other types of surgery because it is done closer to the nervous system. The most serious of these risks include paralysis and infections. Even with a successful surgery, the recovery time can be long.
Is spine surgery high risk surgery?
With any surgery, there is the risk of complications. When surgery is done near the spine and spinal cord, these complications (if they occur) can be very serious. Complications could involve subsequent pain and impairment and the need for additional surgery.
What are the chances of surviving back surgery?
What Percentage of Back Surgeries Are Successful? One study estimated the success rate for back surgeries to be about 50%. This estimate is conservative, as most success rates depend on a wide variety of factors.
How often do spinal surgeries fail?
With each spine surgery you have, the chance of success drops: 50% success rate after the first repeat surgery. 30% after the second. 15% after the third.
How long does it take to walk after back surgery?
You'll be encouraged to walk and move around the day after surgery and it's likely you'll be discharged 1 to 4 days afterwards. It will take about 4 to 6 weeks for you to reach your expected level of mobility and function (this will depend on the severity of your condition and symptoms before the operation).
How long is bed rest after back surgery?
Two days of bed rest is usually sufficient for the treatment of acute low back pain [7].
How long is hospital stay after back surgery?
You'll usually be able to go home about 1 to 4 days after your operation. How long you need to stay in hospital will depend on the specific type of surgery you had and your general health. When you get home, it's important to take things easy at first, gradually increasing your level of activity every day.
What can I expect after back surgery?
After surgery, you can expect your back to feel stiff and sore. You may have trouble sitting or standing in one position for very long and may need pain medicine in the weeks after your surgery. It may take 4 to 6 weeks to get back to doing simple activities, such as light housework.