Back or neck surgery, also called spine surgery, can be an effective treatment for sciatica or related symptoms.
While most back or neck pain resolves within a few months, many people choose medication, physical therapy and exercises to regain comfort and mobility. However, if your sciatica is persistent and disabling, back or neck surgery at Riverview Health can help relieve pain, as well as improve movement and stability.
Our orthopedic spine specialists may recommend back or neck surgery if your pain is caused by bone overgrowth or bone spurs from osteoarthritis, or disc problems, such as degenerated, bulging, herniated, ruptured or slipped spinal discs.
Riverview Health offers four types of back and neck surgery:
Talk to your doctor to see if you’re a candidate for one of these types of back or neck surgeries.
Depending on your specific back or neck problem, surgery can be either an open surgery or a minimally invasive procedure, taking about 1-3 hours. During surgery, you’ll be under general anesthesia, so you won’t feel anything. Many of these procedures may be performed on an outpatient basis. Larger fusion type procedures typically involve a two-day hospital stay following surgery to aide in recovery.
It can take several months to fully recover from back or neck fusion surgery. Through physical therapy and rehabilitation, you’ll learn how to move properly, reposition yourself, turn over in bed, sit, stand and walk in ways that protect your spine, as well as how to avoid twisting your spine while it’s recovering.
Most people have decreased energy for some time, and then gradually return to their normal activities. The orthopedic experts at Riverview Health can discuss the limitations for your individual recovery. Staying physically active and maintaining a healthy weight can help relieve any discomfort following surgery.
To learn more about back or neck surgery at Riverview Health, contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists by calling 317.565.0505 today or by completing an appointment request form.
The orthopedic team at Riverview Health provides advanced back and neck surgery to people living in Noblesville, Carmel, Cicero, Fishers, Sheridan and Westfield, IN.