Nobody wants to undergo surgery if it can be avoided, but if certain signs or symptoms are present with your condition, an operation may end up being the perfect solution for your pain. But what indicators could suggest that a cervical spinal surgery could be right for you? In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the symptoms that suggest you may need neck surgery to address your issue.
Who Can Benefit from Cervical Spine Surgery
As always, this is just some general advice, and for a more individualized recommendation, seek out an appointment with a spine specialist who can view you and your spinal imaging tests in person. That said, here’s a look at some of the commonalities between patients who end up pursuing surgery for their neck or cervical spine issue.
- No Success Through Conservative Care – If you’ve given conservative care treatments your all, and you’re still not experiencing the symptom relief you had hoped for, it may be time to consider surgery. Physical therapy, posture care and range of motion exercises can sometimes be the right solution, but if they aren’t working for you, it’s time to consider an operation.
- Significant Decrease In Quality Of Life – If neck pain is so bad that it’s significantly affecting your quality of life such that you can no longer pursue some of the activities you love, it’s time to have a conversation with a spine specialist about your goals and how surgery could help you achieve them. If neck pain is keeping you from the activities you love, an operation may help to increase your quality of life.
- Spinal Cord Compression – If a disc has slipped and is now threatening the safety of your spinal canal and the spinal cord, it may be time for an operation. Damage to the spinal cord can be catastrophic, and if a spinal disc, vertebral segment or tumor is putting the spinal cord in danger, a more proactive approach may be preferred over conservative means.
- Symptoms Are Getting Worse – Conservative care may work for the time being, but eventually its effectiveness can wane and symptoms can start to become more intense. If pain or discomfort is getting worse, it may be time to consider more aggressive conservative treatments like corticosteroid injections or a surgical procedure.
- Actions Are Becoming Unsafe – Finally, if you’re dealing with symptoms that make daily movements unsafe, it’s time to talk to a surgeon about your treatment options. If neck pain is affecting your balance, or a pinched nerve causes leg or hand weakness, you may be at risk for a fall or an automobile accident. If symptoms are disrupting your life and making normal activities like walking or driving unsafe, reach out to a spine specialist.
If you’re dealing with any of the above factors, or you just want to speak to a spine specialist and get to the bottom of your back or neck pain, reach out to Dr. Jackman and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today.
