Why Spine Surgery Is Rarely A Doctor’s First Treatment Recommendation

Spine surgery is an incredibly effective treatment course, and success rates only continue to climb as we learn more about the best ways to perform these operations and chart post-op recovery courses. That said, unless it’s an emergency situation, it’s very rare for a doctor’s first recommendation to be a surgical correction. If surgery has such a high rate of success and can typically address the problem, why is it oftentimes considered a last resort? In today’s blog, we explain why spine surgery is rarely the first recommended course of treatment.

Spine Surgery As A Last Resort

Dr. Sinicropi has performed upwards of 10,000 spine surgeries in his lifetime, and he’s incredibly confident in his ability to surgically address both routine and complex spinal issues with a corrective procedure. However, he’ll be the first to tell you that if he can achieve the same or similar results with a conservative care plan, that’s the first route he’ll recommend. Here’s why:

• Surgery Takes A Toll – Surgery takes a significant toll on the human body, even when minimally invasive techniques are used, so doctors try to avoid this if at all possible. Surgical trauma is much harder on the body than standard conservative techniques, so if similar results can be achieved without surgery, that’s the first route many physicians will recommend in order to spare this stress on the body.
• Additional Risks – All surgeries carry the potential for risks and unforeseen complications, and while your care team will do everything in their power to minimize these issues, they can’t get this risk down to zero. Conservative care does not carry the same risks. You’re not at risk for blood loss, nerve damage or adverse reactions to anesthesia when you pursue a non-operative treatment plan, but there is a very small risk of these issues during surgery.
• Lengthy Recovery – Recovery after a surgical procedure is typically much longer than a standard non-operative course. Even though many of the same techniques may be pursued (like rest, physical therapy, exercise, etc.), your body will also be dealing with the trauma of surgery, so you can expect that recovery time will take longer after an operation. Again, if similar results can be achieved without surgery and this extended rehabilitation, that’s the route your doctor will recommend.
• Some Patients Not Healthy Enough For Surgery – Many of the issues that affect our spine and warrant surgical consideration tend to affect older adults. Whether it’s age-related or tied to natural degeneration and years of stress on the body, your doctor is going to need to determine how your body would likely respond to a surgical procedure and recovery period before recommending the operation. Many older adults have other health issues or comorbidities that could make them a less-than-ideal surgical candidate or cause their risk of complications to increase. If you have other underlying health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, your doctor may push for conservative treatments that aren’t as impacted by your overall health.
• Conservative Means Highly Effective – Surgery success isn’t the only thing that has improved over the last few decades, as our ability to address certain back issues with conservative means has also greatly improved. Targeted physical therapy and strength training can greatly improve your condition, especially when paired with other healthy lifestyle improvements like exercise, enhanced diet, weight loss and getting quality sleep. Don’t assume that surgery is your only means to an effective treatment.
• Cost Barriers – Finally, surgery and recovery can take a financial toll on the patient, even when they have good health insurance. Surgery and post-op rehab is likely to cost thousands of dollars or more, and many cannot comfortably afford these medical expenses. If you can make a fairly similar recovery without going into debt to achieve the results, your doctor will gladly help set you up with a much more affordable conservative plan. We understand the economics of spine surgery, and we want to guide you to a treatment that takes that factor into consideration.

Surgery may be the first choice for problems like cancer or a severe acute injury, but oftentimes you have more freedom in your pursuit of treatment. We’ll work to find the right treatment for you, but don’t be surprised if we ask you to really give conservative treatment a go before we opt for more invasive recommendations. For more information, or for help with a spine issue that you’re dealing with, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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