Majority of back surgeries are  both avoidable and come with significant risks.

Most pain in the back can be treated without surgery. In fact, surgery often does not relieve the pain as research suggests that twenty to forty percent of back surgeries are not successful.

One of the primary reasons why back surgery should be avoided is the risk. All surgeries carry the risk of infection, excessive bleeding, and nerve injury.

Back pain is a highly prevalent condition that can have a tremendous social, financial, and psychological impact on a patient’s life. There are three susceptible areas of pain in the back, namely; the neck pain, the upper or mid back pain and the lower back pain. Back pain, especially Low back pain is a worldwide problem,  creating more disability than any other condition in the world.

 Prevalence of low back pain increases with age, so it is understandable that there is an increasing rate of surgeries to treat back pain in accordance with an aging population demography.  While there are no guarantees the operation will provide relief; there are lots of other options.  In fact the biggest risk of back surgery is not knowing for sure if it’s going to help with your pain.

There are many reasons that a back surgery may or may not work  even with the best surgeon. . Surveys have revealed that far less than ten per cent of back pain victims require surgery.

While back surgery is targeted at addressing one point in the spine that may be the problem, it could end up giving the patient other issues as well.

Many times, spine surgery is necessary to provide enough back pain relief for the patient to start a physiotherapy programme, but it should only be one component of the patient’s healing process. Unfortunately, some patients feel that after back surgery they have been successfully treated and no further treatment is necessary. However, this is rarely true, and continued therapies and rehabilitation are usually necessary for a successful outcome.

Nevertheless not all back surgeries can be avoided. For example, if there is a cancer mass, or blood clot encroaching on the  spinal cord,  these can compress the nerve and lead to serious complications.

Considering the risks, a conservative approach carries little or no risk, and the surgery will always be there as a second option.

 A musculo-skeletal physiotherapist is knowledgeable in anatomy and biomechanics of human back structure.

Omega physiotherapy and back pain care clinic does not stop at pain relief as it sets  goals that improve  patients quality of life, and get them back to the activities they love.

Those experiencing disturbing back pain, and interested in avoiding surgery, can call  08033299222 or 08187524972 to  discuss if they prefer our approach to treatment.  There is no reason to believe that back surgery is your only option for getting back to the life you want and deserve.

Take care of your back and it will last a life time.

DR CHARLES EHIRIM

No related posts.