Spine surgery
What is spine surgery?
Spinal pain, whether in the cervical or lumbar region, is one of the most common complaints in medical offices and emergency rooms. When persistent, this pain can affect not only physical well-being but also the patient’s quality of life, productivity, and emotional health.
Spine surgery is recommended when clinical treatments no longer provide the expected results or when there is a risk of neurological impairment. In such cases, an evaluation with a spine surgeon is essential to define the best strategy.
Neurosurgery is one of the medical specialties that trains doctors to become spine specialists, prepared to treat complex conditions of the cervical and lumbar spine using modern techniques and a personalized approach.
Main spine conditions that deserve attention
Spinal diseases may initially be silent but tend to cause pain, limitations, and neurological changes over time. The most common include:
Herniated disc: leakage of the intervertebral disc content, compressing nerve roots.
Spinal canal stenosis: narrowing of the canal where the spinal cord and nerves pass.
Spondylolisthesis: when one vertebra slips over another.
Nerve compressions: caused by bone, disc, or ligament changes.
In many cases, these conditions present with back pain, tingling, weakness in the limbs, altered sensation, or difficulty walking (gait disturbances). These signs should not be ignored.
If you notice these symptoms, seek specialized medical care in spine surgery to avoid complications and permanent damage.
Surgical treatment for the spine: when is it indicated?
Spine surgery is recommended when:
Conservative treatment has failed
Symptoms progress with loss of strength or function
There is a risk of permanent damage to the spinal cord or nerve roots
The main surgical procedures include:
Microdiscectomy (removal of a herniated disc)
Spinal fusion (fusion of unstable vertebrae)
Laminectomy and foraminotomy (decompression of the canal or foramina)
Minimally invasive surgeries
The goal of treatment, whether surgical or conservative, is to relieve pain, restore function, and improve the patient’s quality of life.
Spinal block: a minimally invasive option for pain relief
When properly indicated, spinal injection or rhizotomy is an effective alternative to surgery. Injections involve administering medication (analgesics and corticosteroids) directly into the affected area under image guidance.
Rhizotomy is a procedure that targets the diseased nerves using radiofrequency, preventing them from continuing to transmit pain signals.
Most common indications:
Cervical or lumbar pain with an inflammatory component
Facet joint syndrome
Mild compressions without immediate surgical indication
What to expect from the procedure:
Performed in a controlled environment
Local anesthesia and fast recovery
Pain relief within the first few weeks
Can be repeated if needed
Both options can be part of a combined treatment plan, including physical therapy and functional rehabilitation.
Spine surgery should be recommended with responsibility and technical precision. If you experience persistent pain, loss of strength, or functional limitations, book a consultation to receive a personalized evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spine Surgery
You should consult a spine surgeon if you experience persistent neck or back pain, weakness in the limbs, balance issues, or numbness. These symptoms may indicate nerve compression or structural changes that require specialized evaluation.
The most commonly treated conditions include herniated discs, spinal canal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and tumors. A spine specialist neurosurgeon evaluates the severity and recommends the best type of intervention, which may be minimally invasive.
Spinal injections are a conservative treatment that can relieve pain and help avoid surgery in some cases. However, when there is severe compression or neurological risk, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Recovery depends on the type of surgery, the condition being treated, and the patient’s individual profile. In general, minimally invasive procedures allow for a faster return to daily activities. Ongoing follow-up with a spine specialist is essential to guide the recovery process.