In cases of acute back pain, it is usually treated without surgery, and if often goes away without any treatment. It can be treated by using analgesics, an anti-inflammatory medicine, heat, or ice. Other alternatives to surgery include chiropractic care, acupuncture and physical therapy. All these treatments are also useful for chronic pain and should be tried before surgery is even considered. However, when these methods fail to get results, the pain progresses, and it begins to interfere with your quality of life, it is time to consider back surgery.

There are many types of back surgery. These include disectomy, laminectomy, spinal fusion, and other types of fusion surgeries. Some can be performed under local anesthesia in a doctor's office, while others require hospitalization. Some of the more serious surgeries have a long recovery time, and often back surgery does not improve the condition.

When you are facing the possibility of back surgery, you need to carefully weigh the risks and the benefits. You should ask as many questions as you need when meeting with your physician. You should get a second opinion before you decide on surgery. Seeking the advice of others who have had the specific surgery you need is very helpful. You might also want to do research online and find out more about the various types of surgery. There is plenty of information online and you might also find testimonials from those who have had surgery on their backs. This can be helpful in discovering what you may expect before, during and after your surgery.

One of the most common causes of lower back pain is lumbar herniated disc. As a disc degenerates, it can begin to herniated. When a disc herniated, the inner core leaks out and the space between the vertebrae decreases. This often pits pressure on a nerve, which can then cause pain. One type of pain is called sciatica. Sciatica is a type of leg pain, and possibly tingling, numbness or weakness that originates in the lower back and travel through the buttocks and down the leg.

If the pain persists, alternative treatments can be tried. You can visit a chiropractor, have physical therapy sessions or try spinal decompression. If these treatments do not work and the herniated disc does not get better, lower back surgery may be needed. Lumbar herniated disc surgery is designed to alleviate the pain and eliminate the pressure on the nerve by surgically removing the part of the disc that is pressing on it. This surgery is often done on an outpatient basis. Sometimes there is an overnight stay at the hospital, but patients can often return to work in a week or two.

Another common cause of lower back pain, especially in older people, is facet joint osteoarthritis. This is also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative disc disease, though they are really different conditions Osteoarthritis causes the breakdown of cartilage between the facet joints. As the joints move, this lack of cartilage causes pain, loss of motion and stiffness. The facet joints are located in the back part of the spine. They consist of two opposing bony surfaces. There is cartilage between the two surfaces and a capsule around it that produces fluid. With the cartilage and fluid at normal amounts, the joints move with little friction. However, the arthritis causes the cartilage to breakdown and with less cartilage, there is more friction. And more pain and stiffness.

There are not many surgical options for facet joint osteoarthritis. The only common surgery is a fusion surgery. In this type of surgery, one or more of the vertebrae are joined, or fused together. This prevents motion at the affected joint. Spinal fusion surgery is usually not recommended since osteoarthritis usually affects multiple vertebrae, and multiple fusions are not advisable. This surgery is often unsuccessful and even when successful, the recovery time can be lengthy.

There is a new type of surgery that may be an alternative to spinal fusion surgery. Laser spine surgery is a new type of procedure that is becoming more popular. One type of laser surgery is called Percuteaneous Endoscopic Discectomy. It is minimally invasive, requires much less recovery time, and can replace the more traditional spinal fusion surgery. You can literally walk out of the doctor's office on your own only two or three hours after the procedure. Laser spinal surgery can treat many different conditions. These conditions include spinal stenosis, herniated discs, pinched nerves and arthritis of the spine.

It is estimated that more than 80 % of people are affected by lower back pain at some point in their lives. It accounts for more disability and sick leave than any other condition. Back pain creates havoc with an active lifestyle and can cause many people to become sedentary. In this regard, back pain can be a major contributor to unhealthy lifestyle and health problems. There are a variety of causes and many potential treatments. Most of these treatments are non-invasive, and often the condition goes away in a short period of time. However, for those people who have chronic back pain, lower back surgery may be the only answer to relieving their pain. Back surgery is a very serious issue and should be researched fully before making a decision. Talk with family and friends, get a second opinion from a medical professional, and do your own research of risks and benefits. Armed with this knowledge, you will be most likely to make the correct decision for your medical condition.