What to Think About When Considering Sciatica Surgery

In general, surgeries are large investments and should be considered carefully before pursuing them. Sciatica surgery is certainly no exception to this. Like any other major surgery, spine surgery comes with risks and a recovery period. Unless you're facing a medical emergency that requires immediate surgery, it is recommended that you receive multiple medical opinions when considering spine surgery. Also, talk to family and friends about their experiences with back surgery, and think about the short- and long-term effects of surgery before jumping right into it.

Open Spine Surgery and Minimally Invasive Sciatica Surgery

There are several different specific operations that are performed when sciatica is present, but there are essentially two approaches to sciatica surgery. One of the methods is open spine surgery, and the other is referred to as endoscopic spine surgery. Open spine surgery involves cutting a large incision to expose the spine, general anesthesia, and an overnight hospital stay as well as a long recovery period. Endoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive alternative to open spine surgery, requires only an incision less than an inch in length, local anesthesia and deep IV sedation, no overnight stay, and has a much shorter recovery period.

If Conservative Treatments Aren't Helping to Reduce Your Symptoms

If you have been using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), performing physical therapy, resting, using ice packs, or incorporating any other form of conservative treatment into your daily routine for several months and have experienced little or no change in your sciatica, it may be time to pay your doctor another visit. This time however, explain to your doctor that your treatment methods have proven ineffective and that you are curious about sciatica surgery. You will find that spine surgery is normally reserved for five to ten percent of patients experiencing sciatica. However, if you have been unsuccessfully treating your condition for several weeks or months, there's a better chance that you will fall into that five to ten percent and be a candidate to receive sciatica surgery.