The prevalence of lower back pain worldwide is escalating. An astonishing 619 million individuals around the world struggled with lower back pain in 2020 alone. According to a 2021 Global Burden of Disease study, by the year 2050, it’s expected that this number will reach up to 843 million.
With back pain surgery, individuals are able to function without pain and regain their lifestyles. However, surgery isn’t ideal for all people. Not to mention, there are a lot of myths surrounding this multifaceted procedure. Our spinal experts at NJ Spine & Orthopedic can help debunk common myths about back surgery so that you can make more informed health decisions.
5 Back Surgery Myths Debunked
It’s important that you don’t believe everything you hear about back surgery, as there are many myths circling around about the procedure. Some common myths include:
Myth #1: Back Surgery Presents a High Complication Rate
One common myth that individuals often hear is that there is a high rate of complications with back surgery. It’s true that all surgeries do carry certain risks similar to the risk of side effects with medication. However, an experienced spinal surgeon has the necessary training to reduce the risks associated with back surgery. Your spine is protected by bony vertebrae, and expert spinal surgeons take all necessary measures to ensure that your spine stays protected.
Before recommending any back surgery procedure, your spine doctor will make sure that you are 100% aware of all of the risks and benefits of the surgery.
Myth #2: All Back Surgeries Are Major Operations
While your spine and back are large parts of your body, this doesn’t mean all back surgeries must be major procedures. There are several minimally invasive back surgeries. This means the spinal surgeon is able to make fewer and smaller cuts instead of larger incisions. Generally, these surgeries are quicker and require less recovery time than major surgeries. You’ll also experience much less scarring, post-surgical pain, and a lower risk of infection.
Spine and back surgery has advanced a lot over time, and there are various ways a spinal surgeon can perform minimally invasive surgery.
Myth #3: Spine Surgeons Always Choose Surgery if it’s Called For
Surgery isn’t for everyone, and your spine doctor knows this. While a spine specialist may eventually suggest surgery to treat your back problem, they will first likely recommend treating back pain with other treatment options, such as acupuncture or physical therapy.
The goal is generally to treat the problem in the least invasive way possible, whether it’s through surgical or non-surgical treatment. Either way, it’s critical to deliver informative and personalized care in a collaborative setting to help individuals make informed decisions about their treatment plan options.
Myth #4: Spine and Back Surgery Have High Fail Rates
Spine and back surgery have become highly successful procedures with the recent technological advances in medicine. For instance, the advances in endoscopy procedures have offered spine surgeons pinpoint precision and accuracy during surgeries which have led to:
- Less risk of infections
- Smaller incisions
- More successful outcomes
Most spine surgeries come with a 95% to 98% success rate.
Myth #5: Back Surgery Recovery is Extremely Painful
Experiencing pain after surgery is common. Typically, the first several days after surgery is when you will feel the worst amount of pain. After that, it should begin to subside. Following your surgery, you may experience some discomfort for up to six weeks, but it shouldn’t be unbearable.
An extremely painful recovery after back surgery isn’t usual, especially with minimally invasive procedures. However, if you do experience any symptoms or unbearable pain, seek medical attention immediately.
Contact NJ Spine & Orthopedic to Learn More About Back Pain Surgery
At NJ Spine & Orthopedic, we understand the effect that back pain can have on your quality of life and your well-being. Our experienced spinal specialists are highly skilled and trained to treat your back pain in the most individualized way possible. In some cases, this could mean back surgery.
Call NJ Spine & Orthopedic today at (866) 553-0612 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment and speak with one of our back pain specialists about your back pain and the potential of treating it with back surgery. Our Concierge Team can also help streamline your treatment plan appointments.