Category: Spine Surgery | Author: Stefano Sinicropi | Date: December 15, 2025
It’s fine to be a little nervous ahead of a spine surgery procedure, but we never want a patient to let fear guide their treatment path. If fear or anxiety are causing you to avoid the optimal care route for your spine condition, that’s a problem. Moreover, many of the most common fears about spine surgery are rooted in misconceptions, and you should never allow a misconception to let you make the wrong choice for your health. With that in mind, we want to use today’s blog to spotlight five common fears about spine surgery that are rooted in misconceptions.
Common Misconceptions About Spine Surgery
If you’re reluctant to visit a spine specialist or talk with a surgeon to see if spine surgery may be right for you because of any of these reasons, know that you may be letting an irrational fear get in the way of what’s best for you and your spine. Here are some common misconceptions that we hear from patients:
- Surgery Is Risky – All surgeries carry risks, but surgery is much safer than the average person assumes. With advanced technology and an always-improving understanding of best surgical practices, complication rates for even more complex spine surgeries continue to fall.
- Surgery Could Fail – Similar to the above point, we can’t guarantee that surgery will work perfectly every single time, but the likelihood of a failed surgery is incredibly low. Instead of focusing on what could go wrong with your procedure, we always tell patients to focus on what will be restored assuming everything goes as planned. Your physical function and quality of life should greatly improve after your operation, so focus on these benefits when considering surgery.
- Recovery Is Time Consuming – With the advancement of minimally invasive techniques, surgery is much less taxing than it’s been in the past, leading to faster recovery times. Even if your rehabilitation will take months, we always tell patients that time is going to pass regardless, so you might as well be working towards a healthier version of yourself.
- It’s Not Worth The Effort – We can’t guarantee that we can make your spine feel 50 years younger, but you only get one life, and you shouldn’t go through it dealing with persistent spine pain. Another thing we tell all our patients is that they’ll get out what they put in, so if you put forth a strong effort during your rehab, we’re confident you’ll be pleased with the results.
- It’s Going To Be Painful – Surgery itself will not be painful, but there will be some discomfort during the early stages of your recovery. It won’t be overbearing, and we work closely with our patients to ensure they know the best ways to safely and effectively manage their pain medications to keep discomfort at a minimum throughout their recovery. Don’t let pain be a deterrent to treatment, because odds are you’re already dealing with pain and dysfunction as a result of your spinal issue.
Let us help you overcome the threats to your function and independence, and don’t let a misconception about spine surgery stand in your way. Let Dr. Sinicropi and his team put your fears to rest. For more information on how we can help with your back pain issue, connect with Dr. Sinicropi and the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
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