Ask a doctor - What is the main purpose of spine surgery?

Q. What is the main purpose of spine surgery?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Spine surgery is done to fix problems with your spine – that's the backbone running down your back. People might need it for various reasons:

1. Herniated Discs: Sometimes, the squishy material in your spinal discs bulges out and presses on nerves. Surgery can help fix this.

2. Spinal Stenosis: When the space in your spine gets too narrow, it can put pressure on your spinal cord and nerves. Surgery can make more room.

3. Spinal Fractures: If you break your spine, surgery can help stabilize it and prevent more damage.

4. Scoliosis: This is when your spine curves weirdly. Surgery might be needed to straighten things out.

5. Spinal Tumors: If you have a growth around your spine, surgery can remove it to stop it from causing problems.

6. Degenerative Disc Disease: As you get older, your spinal discs can wear down. Surgery might involve removing damaged discs and making things more stable.

7. Infections: If an infection gets into your spine, surgery can be done to take out the infected parts.

8. Instability: Some conditions can make your spine unstable. Surgery can help make it more solid.

Basically, if you've got spine issues and simpler treatments aren't cutting it, surgery could be an option. The type of surgery depends on what's wrong, and it's a decision made carefully with your doctor, weighing the pros and cons. They'll look at your symptoms, history, and how risky the surgery might be. The goal is to ease your pain, improve how you move, and fix any big problems with your spine.