Back pain is common, with up to 80% of Americans experiencing it at least once in their lives. In many cases, that back pain can be relieved using basic at-home care, such as rest, anti-inflammatory medications and heating pads, or with physical therapy. However, if those treatments no longer help your pain, your spine specialist may recommend back surgery.
Back surgery may feel intimidating, but knowing what to expect can put your mind at ease and help you feel confident in your decision to have it.
When Spine Surgery Is Recommended
Most conditions that cause back pain respond well to the treatments mentioned above. However, spine surgery is often beneficial if you have one of the following conditions:
- Ruptured or herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease caused by age-related wear and tear
- Nerve root damage that involves a spinal nerve
- Spinal stenosis, narrowing of the spinal column that puts pressure on the nerves and the spinal cord
- Spondylosis, a type of arthritis affecting the spine
- Spondylolisthesis, in which one or more vertebrae (the bones in your spine) slips out of place
- Tumor or infection
- Vertebral fractures caused by a fall or other injury, often related to osteoporosis
The timing of surgery can depend on your diagnosis.
“In some cases, such as with nerve root damage, you may need back surgery right away,” says Dr. Andrew Castro, board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon with the Beaufort Memorial Advanced Orthopedics and Spine Program. “In most cases, though, we typically suggest spine surgery only after other treatments have stopped providing relief or when your problem begins affecting your daily life.”
Read More: Coping With Chronic Back Pain
4 Common Types of Spine Surgery
Every back problem is unique, and surgeons have many options to choose from when it comes to treating yours. Common spine surgeries our surgeons perform include:
- Cervical disc replacement
- Cervical or lumbar decompression surgery (taking the pressure off the nerve root)
- Microdiscectomy (removing parts of a herniated disc causing irritation and pressure on a nerve)
- Spinal fusion, including cervical and lumbar fusion (fusing bone to prevent movement of vertebrae)
Your specific recovery time and other aspects of the recovery process will depend on the type of surgery you have.
What to Expect Before Back Surgery
If a spine specialist recommends back surgery, you’ll be given a set of instructions based on the specific type you will be having.
As you discuss your options with your surgeon, keep these considerations in mind:
- How much time off you may need to take from work
- Whether the surgery will limit your ability to drive and, if so, how you will get around during your recovery
- What types of rehabilitation you’ll need after surgery and where it is located
In the week prior to your surgery, you’ll need to attend appointments for preoperative testing to ensure you’re healthy enough for surgery. You may also be referred to the Preoperative Assessment Clinic as an additional step in helping you get ready for surgery.
We also encourage back surgery patients to watch our online spine surgery education classes. During these short courses, you’ll learn about the surgery you’re having as well as what your recovery will look like.
In the days and hours before surgery, follow the instructions you’ve been given. They outline specifics, such as:
- When to discontinue medications
- What to eat in preparation for surgery
- Personal hygiene guidelines to help prevent infection
- What to bring to the hospital and what to leave at home
- How you can prepare your home for your recovery
On the day of your surgery, arrive at the hospital at the designated time, checking in at the desk in the surgical lobby. Your health care team will help you along every step of the way as surgery begins.
Read More: Back Pain: Is It Something Serious?
What to Expect After Back Surgery
After your spine surgery, your recovery will begin in the hospital. You’ll first move to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), where you’ll be monitored carefully as you come out of anesthesia. From there, you’ll be moved to the hospital’s orthopedics and spine unit.
A dedicated team of surgeons, orthopedic specialists and nurses will carefully monitor and observe you as you begin your recovery. They’re monitoring vital signs to look for signs of complications, such as infection, and will also help you manage pain, begin eating as tolerated, take medications and begin moving with exercises such as ankle pumps.
During this time, it’s especially important to stay ahead of your pain. You’ll be asked regularly to rate your pain based on how you feel. Your care team can give you medications and use other techniques to keep you comfortable. You’ll be able to go home once you’ve achieved a set of defined recovery goals established by your care team.
When it’s time to leave the hospital, you’ll review a discharge checklist that offers tips for at-home care, including what to do if you see signs of infection, wound care, when to begin outpatient therapy and how to control pain.
You’ll also receive guidance about what you should and shouldn’t do in the days and weeks following your surgery. If you’re having lumbar surgery, for example, you should avoid bending until advised by a surgeon. Keep the “BLT” acronym in mind: No bending, lifting or twisting until your surgeon says so.
Recovery and Beyond
Every person recovers at their own pace. Your recovery time will vary depending on your overall health, the type of surgery you had and how complex it was. In general, most of the healing process takes place within the first six weeks, but the muscles that support your spine, especially those close to where your surgery was, will take time to regain strength. Many people notice symptom improvement three to six months after their procedure but be patient. Some surgeries require more time to be effective.
If you notice anything that seems unusual, talk about what you’re experiencing with your care team. Some symptoms, such as leg pain, can occur after certain procedures, and your providers can offer guidance about how to relieve this nerve pain and how quickly it should go away.
Remember that we’re here to help throughout your back surgery experience — from preoperative visits through recovery and beyond. Never hesitate to ask questions or raise concerns about your experience. The orthopedic care coordinator is a resource to guide you through the process and assist with any questions.
Think back surgery may be the solution for your lingering pain? Connect with our orthopedic care coordinator to set up an appointment with a back surgeon.
