Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Surgery is often viewed as the last resort for people dealing with back pain, but sometimes it becomes evident that an operation is inevitable. There are certain signs and symptoms that suggest an operation is your best bet at a full recovery. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at five of those signs.

Time For Spine Surgery

Here are five signs that suggest you should consult with a spine specialist to see if an operation could solve your spine pain.

1. There’s A Visual Deformity – If you have a visual deformity with your spine, odds are it will be best treated with a surgical operation. Conservative care can often help to prevent the condition from worsening, but unless the deformity is very mild, it’s unlikely to reverse on its own. A fusion or realignment procedure can help fix spine problems that cause a visual deformity.
2. Normal Functions Are Impaired – If your spine pain is affecting your ability to walk normally or is causing bladder issues, surgery may be in your future. These are signs of a serious problem that can lead to worsening symptoms if left untreated. Surgery may not be the first option, but if normal bodily functions are impaired, care at the hands of a spine specialist is best sooner rather than later.
3. Conservative Care Fails – If you’ve tried a few different conservative options for your back pain and nothing seems to work, it may be time to consider a more invasive option. For most conditions, many spine surgeons want you to try at least six weeks of non-operative options before they will consider providing a surgical consult, but that can vary based on your specific condition.
4. Significant Decrease In Quality Of Life – If back pain is taking away your independence or it’s severely impacting your day-to-day life, it may be time to consider surgery. You don’t need to grit your teeth and deal with back pain, because surgeries have gotten safer and can treat more complex issues. Don’t just accept back pain as the new normal if it’s negatively affecting your quality of life, speak to a spine specialist in your area.
5. Quickly Getting Worse – Most minor to mild back injuries slowly begin to get better over time, even if they end up plateauing. However, if your pain goes in the other direction and quickly gets worse, it could suggest you’re dealing with a serious problem. Worsening symptoms call for professional intervention, and oftentimes that involves an operation.

For help with any of your spine pain conditions, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi’s office today.

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