By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    physical health
    5 Ways Playing Games Can Improve Neural and Physical Health
    September 9, 2022
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    February 16, 2022
    healthcare organization
    5 Actionable Strategies For Healthcare Organizations
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    email marketing in healthcare
    Harnessing the Power of Email Marketing in Healthcare
    October 26, 2023
    healthcare claims
    The Role of Communication in Resolving Complex Workers’ Compensation Claims in Healthcare Settings
    September 22, 2024
    Wounds and Wisdom: What Motorcycle Accidents Teach Us About Health and Healing
    Wounds and Wisdom: What Motorcycle Accidents Teach Us About Health and Healing
    February 12, 2025
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Spinal Conditions That Can’t Be Cured Without Surgery
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Orthopaedics > Spinal Conditions That Can’t Be Cured Without Surgery
OrthopaedicsSurgery

Spinal Conditions That Can’t Be Cured Without Surgery

Kristel Staci
Last updated: November 7, 2023 8:07 pm
Kristel Staci
Share
7 Min Read
spinal conditions
Shutterstock Licensed Photo - 1805310178
SHARE

We have our spines to thank for the ability to stand upright, sit down, walk, bend, and twist. Without this remarkable structure of the human body, our lives would look very different. 

Contents
Why Avoid Surgery?Spinal Conditions That Need Surgery To Be CuredSpinal StenosisSpondylolisthesisHerniated DiscScoliosisBone SpursIs Spine Surgery Safe?

Unfortunately, for all of its strengths, the spine is also particularly susceptible to injury and damage. After all, back pain is one of the most prevalent medical problems today and impacts 8 out of 10 people at some point in their lives. 

Why Avoid Surgery?

In most cases, both patients and physicians want to avoid surgery whenever possible. This is usually due to the risks and complications associated with surgery, including bleeding, blood clots, and infection. 

Additionally, spine surgery presents unique risks and concerns, including:

More Read

Surgeon Drawing Lines On Woman's Face For Plastic Surgery
Top 9 Tips for a Smooth Recovery After Facelift Surgery
When Is External Peer Review The Right Choice For Hospitals?
What To Know About Diagnosing And Treating SLAP Injuries
What Is the Difference between Gastric Band and Gastric Sleeve?
Lessons on Building a Great Ortho Team from The Avengers
  • Nerve damage
  • Dural tear
  • Lost bowel or bladder control
  • Failed back surgery syndrome

Many patients aim to avoid spinal fusion, in particular, for the specific downsides that it presents. Since it involves fusing two or more of the vertebrae in the spine, fusion can severely restrict patients’ mobility and physical activities. Fusion can also lead to increased degeneration of the adjacent spinal segments (known as adjacent segment disease). 

Spinal Conditions That Need Surgery To Be Cured

Most patients with the spinal conditions listed below don’t require surgery to overcome pain and other symptoms. However, non-surgical treatments can’t cure these conditions – they can only help with symptom management. 

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis develops when the open space in the spinal canal tightens, becoming narrower and more restricted. This may not trigger immediate symptoms. But, as spinal stenosis becomes worse over time, it can lead to:

  • Chronic lower back pain
  • Sciatica
  • Numbness, tingling, and weakness in the extremities
  • “Foot drop”, which is a sensation of weakness while trying to lift up the foot or toes

Spinal stenosis is usually caused by osteoarthritis-related spinal degeneration. It can also result from thickened spinal ligaments, a traumatic injury to the spine, and herniated discs. 

In most cases, spinal stenosis is effectively managed without surgery. But, it’s impossible to open the spinal canal back up without surgery. For spinal stenosis, surgery generally involves spinal decompression and, in some cases, spinal fusion. 

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a spinal disorder that develops due to spinal instability. It commonly occurs in young athletes as a result of spondylolysis (a stress fracture in the pars interarticularis). However, spondylolisthesis may also be caused by age-related spine degeneration. 

With spondylolisthesis, one of the bones of the spine slides out of alignment, settling on the bone directly below it. If the misaligned vertebra presses on the spinal cord or nearby spinal nerves, it can cause:

  • Chronic lower back pain
  • Spasms and tightness in the hamstring muscles
  • Stiffness in the lower back
  • Weakness, numbness, and tingling in the extremities

The treatment of spondylolisthesis varies depending on the grade of the vertebral slippage. The patient’s age, symptoms, and general health are also taken into account. For most cases of spondylolisthesis, however, non-surgical therapies are sufficient. 

With that said, surgery is the only cure of severe spondylolisthesis. Non-surgical methods can’t bring the slipped vertebra back to its proper position. 

Herniated Disc

A herniated disc is a common injury. It occurs when one of the discs that cushion the spine weakens. The soft disc interior may then protrude through a crack in the disc exterior. 

When a herniated disc presses on nearby nerves, the patient may experience:

  • Chronic back pain
  • Muscle weakness
  • Tingling, burning, and/or aching sensation in the area of the back with the herniated disc
  • Pain that radiates to the extremities

In most people, a herniated disc will heal over time with non-surgical treatment methods. However, to fully cure a herniated disc, surgery is required. A small portion of herniated disc patients may need surgery for relief from chronic back pain and neurological symptoms. 

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is an abnormal curve in the spine. It’s often present at birth, but it can also develop later in life due to age-related spinal degeneration. 

Patients with scoliosis may experience symptoms including:

  • Back pain
  • Back stiffness
  • Abnormal gait
  • Neurological symptoms in the legs
  • Lost height 
  • Leaning to one side
  • Uneven shoulders or waist
  • Poorly-fitting clothing

Usually, scoliosis is managed successfully with exercise, physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, medical observation, and/or bracing. However, to physically correct the curve in the spine, patients will need to undergo surgery. This is rarely necessary. 

Bone Spurs

Bone spurs are lumps of excess bone that develop on the ends of existing bone tissue. These bony growths can develop in several different areas of the spine, including the spine. 

If a bone spur impinges a spinal nerve, the patient may experience back pain and neurological symptoms. Non-surgical therapies can often help alleviate these symptoms, but the bone spur won’t simply go away. Surgery is the only sure-fire way to remove the entire bone spur from the spine. 

Is Spine Surgery Safe?

We’ve already mentioned that many patients are hesitant to undergo spine surgery because of the associated risks and complications. However, spine surgery has been safely performed for decades, and complications are rare. So long as you select a spine surgeon with excellent training, credentials, and experience, you’ll have a high chance of a successful outcome. 

You can also be proactive and lower your risk of spine surgery complications by:

  • Quitting smoking
  • Eating a nutrient-rich diet and staying hydrating before and after the procedure
  • Telling your surgeon about all of the medications that you take in advance of the procedure
  • Staying mobile after the procedure (while adhering to your surgeon’s guidelines)
  • Following all of your surgeon’s pre-and post-operative instructions

Additionally, opting for a minimally-invasive spine procedure, if possible, can reduce your risk of complications. Modern medical research has formed the path to minimally-invasive spine surgery for the conditions discussed in this article.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Health
May 15, 2025
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction heart treatment
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction
Cardiology
May 13, 2025

You Might also Like

Stem Cells Extracted from Fat Save Patient from Amputation – Video

August 29, 2011

Derrick Rose and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears: Decision Making

April 30, 2012

Sinai Hospital and Operation Walk Maryland Bring Hope to Haitian Patient with Osteonecrosis

December 13, 2012

Costs Associated with Spinal Disorders and Treatment

July 6, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?