Spinal Surgery: A Powerful Tool to Combat Chronic Pain

Ask anyone who’s ever had to deal with chronic pain: it’s not just how much pain you can tolerate; it’s how the pain affects every part of your life. It challenges your ability to complete your work, daily tasks and your social life. It can disrupt your sleep, leaving you fatigued and miserable. It can decrease your mobility and weaken your strength. And it can become an emotional burden, bringing with it anxiety and depression.

By definition, chronic pain is pain that lasts for more than three months. Because of the toll chronic pain can take on your physical, emotional and mental health, it’s essential to seek help that can allow you to live life on your own terms again.

Pain specialists usually start conservatively — beginning with medications, noninvasive procedures, exercise and therapy as the first-line methods for treating and alleviating pain.

“Most episodes of spinal (neck/back/low back) pain resolve on their own with some over-the-counter treatments such as heat, ice, anti-inflammatories and various creams or patches. Other interventions, such as a consultation with a primary care provider, pain management provider or physical therapist, can also be helpful, and those providers may make further recommendations,” says Jayson Neil, MD, a neurosurgeon at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission.

When these methods fall short or severe and persistent pain is involved, surgical intervention may be necessary and more effective — including spinal surgery.

“Ideally, spinal surgery for chronic pain should be considered after most reasonable conservative management options have been exhausted,” said Dr. Neil.

Finding the Right Spine Surgery for Your Best Recovery

There is a wide variety of spinal surgeries that can be performed, depending on your unique needs and goals.

“Spine surgeries can be broadly described as decompressive or stabilizing, or a combination,” explains Dr. Neil. “Decompression is when an opening is created or enlarged, such as a discectomy or laminectomy. Stabilization is commonly referred to as a fusion, and may include various hardware such as spacers/cages, screws and rods. Each surgery is tailored to the exact problem and patient in an attempt to provide the best benefit.”

Even a small spine injury or area of degeneration can trigger pain, weakness or serious disruptions. To restore strength and mobility, your neurosurgeon may recommend one of the following:

• Decompression procedures: To relieve nerve pressure.
• Spinal fusion and stabilization: To repair areas of instability or deformity.
• Disk replacement and motion-preserving techniques: To relieve pain and instability while preserving the range of motion.
• Fracture repair and vertebral augmentation: To help restore spinal alignment and relieve pain.
• Minimally invasive spine surgery: To reduce damage to surrounding muscle tissue and support faster recovery.

Balancing the Risks of Spine Surgery

Factors like age, overall health and the complexity of the procedure can increase the chances of complications. Risks commonly include bleeding, infection, spinal fluid leak, temporary or permanent nerve injury, inadequate decompression, hardware misplacement or failure, and the potential for needing additional surgery.

“Overall, the best surgical outcome starts with a well-informed patient,” says Dr. Neil. “While the risks of spine surgery are real, they are often manageable when paired with the right surgical technique and a dedicated recovery plan. The vast majority of spinal surgeries go smoothly, and patients do very well and are happy that they proceeded with the surgery.”

Healing After Back Surgery

Back surgery recovery time varies based on the procedure, your overall health and how closely you follow postoperative instructions, but most patients can expect a recovery that lasts several weeks to several months.

“A patient who has a minimally invasive lumbar discectomy generally goes home the same day and slowly resumes normal daily activities, including returning to a non-manual labor job in about two weeks and then may resume all activities within about three months,” said Dr. Neil.

When it’s time to go home, it’s essential to follow your surgeon's instructions on how to care for yourself while you recover. In time, your healing journey will ideally lead you to a much more comfortable and mobile lifestyle.

Learn more about Dr. Jayson Neil here.