It might not be your first choice, but there comes a time when back surgery may be necessary to relieve pain and restore mobility. Learn how our spine specialists weigh the pros and cons of surgery and why they may recommend it.

Spine Center Atlanta provides multiple communities throughout Georgia with state-of-the-art, compassionate care customized to fit your orthopedic needs. Although our team includes highly skilled surgeons, we prefer nonsurgical solutions for your back problems whenever possible.

However, when surgery is your best treatment option, you can count on our group to provide stellar care before, during, and after the procedure.

Of course, the choice is always yours, but here’s what our specialists consider when weighing the pros and cons of back surgery.

Will your back problem respond to conservative treatments?

Many conditions respond well to conservative therapies such as activity modification, medication, and physical therapy to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and restore mobility.

Even if your pain level is high, a nerve block, epidural injection, or other non-surgical treatments available at Spine Center Atlanta can often control your discomfort as you heal.

Unfortunately, however, many chronic issues that affect the spine, such as osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease, are progressive. Over time, the damage may become severe enough to require surgery.

Spinal conditions that may require surgery include:

• Herniated discs
• Stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
• Spinal tumors
• Nerve impingement
• Spinal fractures
• Spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebra)
• Degenerative disc disease
• Facet joint syndrome (osteoarthritis)

Spine Center Atlanta specializes in minimally invasive surgery. Compared to traditional surgery, minimally invasive procedures require smaller incisions, reducing trauma to surrounding tissue and offering quicker healing with fewer risks of post-surgical complications.

Are back pain and decreased mobility impairing your quality of life?

Chronic back pain can significantly reduce your overall quality of life and impact your physical and emotional health. Your specialist may recommend surgery as an alternative. While few people look forward to the process, most find back surgery less complicated than expected and well worth the results.

And at Spine Center Atlanta, we continue to follow you after surgery to help ensure a successful outcome. For instance, your surgeon provides detailed instructions regarding incision care, activity expectations, and other postoperative guidelines.

In addition, your specialist develops a postsurgical rehab plan to speed your recovery and restore pain-free mobility. Our full-service rehabilitation center offers physical therapy, a fully equipped gym, aquatic therapy, and other therapies your surgeon may recommend.

Are you a good surgical candidate?

Before recommending surgery, your Spine Center Atlanta provider completes a comprehensive evaluation to ensure your current health status meets surgical guidelines.

Our team also works closely with your primary care physician when considering factors that may affect your surgery. For instance, you may need to temporarily stop blood thinners, psychiatric meds, or over-the-counter medicines and supplements that can interfere with anesthesia or increase bleeding risks during surgery.

If the procedure’s potential benefits outweigh the risks, your surgeon may recommend back surgery as your best treatment option.

Schedule an evaluation at Spine Center Atlanta today for quality orthopedic care you can trust. Call the office or request an appointment online.