When is back surgery an option?

• When a nerve is pinched;
• When the spinal cord is compressed,
• When there's too much movement between the vertebrae,
• When your neck or back pain is accompanied by nerve damage. Watch out for the following signs and symptoms: Pain radiating down your legs or arms; A tingling, numb or weak feeling in your arms and legs; No or little bladder or bowel control.

• Herniated or slipped disk: Wear and tear may cause the pads of cartilage (disks) between your vertebrae to bulge or rupture (herniate). Parts of the herniated disk can protrude end the protrusion can push onto the nerve running adjacent to the disk. This pressure can cause pain, numbness, tingling or weakness.of the arms or legs.
• Back pain caused by disk degeneration. This surgery is only performed in very specific situations.
• Spinal stenosis. This narrowing of the spinal canal or of the openings (foramina) through which nerves exit the spinal canal, can result bony growths/spurs where disks have compressed. The compressed disks allow vertebrae to press and rub against each other. In spinal stenosis, a surgeon may need to remove the bone or ligament pinching nerves or the spinal cord. Spinal stenosis is a common condition, but in many cases without any symptoms.
• Fractures. Spinal fractures require surgery if the spine is unstable, or if the spinal cord or nerve roots are compressed.
• Osteoporosis can weaken vertebrae, causing them to fracture or collapse. Surgeons will only perform surgery if an osteoporotic compression fracture threatens the stability of the spine or id the pain cannot be treated another way.
• Infections and tumors. Surgery may be needed to remove a tumor or an abscess.
• Spinal deformity. Scoliosis (S-shaped spine), kyphosis (humpback) and spondylolisthesis (spine segment slipping forward) may be treated surgically if they are causing pain, nerve compression or deterioration.