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How To Know When You Might Need Spine Surgery
July 15, 2022
Lower back pain is one of the top reasons patients see their doctor. But since conventional treatments don’t always work, it’s best to seek help from a specialist.
Are you suffering from back pain and wondering what’s the best way to treat it? We’re here to tell you how to spot the signs that the pain is coming from your spine and when you might need spine surgery.
Read on to find out more.
How to Know When You Might Need Spine Surgery
If traditional back pain treatment hasn’t worked or your condition has gotten worse, you might need the help of spine surgery.
There are different types of spine surgery, depending on your condition.
Common Conditions Requiring Spine Treatment
First, if you have any of the following conditions, you should make an appointment with a spine surgeon:
- Degenerative disc disorder
- Herniated disc (where at least one of the discs that support the spine is damaged)
- Fractures to the vertebrae (from injury or osteoporosis)
- Spinal stenosis (where the spinal column has narrowed, pressurizing the spinal cord and surrounding nerves)
- Spondylolisthesis (where one or more bones have slipped)
The surgeon will discuss your condition in more detail, make an assessment, and determine if you’re a candidate for surgery.
At All Spine Care, we offer a range of procedures and treatments for back pain. You can check them out here.
Signs You Might Need Spine Surgery
There are also more subtle signs where treatment for back pain is needed. You should look out for them as they might be an indicator of a more serious problem.
Here are some of them.
Weak or Numb Hands, Arms, or Legs
If you feel weakness, numbness, or tingling in your extremities, it could relate to the lower back region. This is known as your lumbar spine.
The nerves that make their way from your lumbar spine to your brain could be suffering compression. A herniated (or slipped) disc might be the cause. Spine surgeons can help to determine if this is the case.
Loss of Mobility in Your Fingers and Hands
Vertebrae in the upper back and neck areas join your spine to your fingers and hands. Problems arising here can affect your ability to carry out basic functions.
This shouldn’t be left unchecked. A spinal expert can assess if your spine is causing the problem through X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans.
Constant Neck or Back Pain
While the pain is not always experienced in the area that it comes from, it is often still the case. For example, a slipped disc can result in pain in the area nearby.
If you’re suffering neck or back pain and it doesn’t resolve itself, it’s time to go and see a surgeon. While it might not always be related to your spine, it’s best to rule it out first. If it is, that appointment could save you a lot of pain.
Find Out if Spine Surgery is Right for You
Spine surgery can improve the quality of your life if you are in a lot of pain. With this guide, you now know when you might need spine surgery.
For more information, contact us today! We’ll help you discover if spine surgery is for you.