Surgical intervention is essential for treating spinal curvature disorders, particularly in cases where nonsurgical treatments fail to provide sufficient relief. It has emerged as a life-changing solution for those seeking freedom from the pain and movement limitations brought on by severe spinal curvature.
Nonetheless, it is worth noting that spine surgery does have inherent risks, and whether to have it or not is a major decision—one that requires forethought, due diligence, and expert guidance. If you are considering surgery for your spinal curvature disorder, understanding its long-term outcomes is key to making a well-informed decision about your treatment.
Below is an outline of the long-term benefits and risks of spinal curvature surgery to give you a good starting point for your discussion with your orthopedic spine surgeon.
Long-Term Benefits of Surgery for Curvature of the Spine
Surgery for spinal curvature offers benefits that stretch well beyond the initial recovery period. Your orthopedic spine surgeon can educate you on how you can maximize these benefits and achieve the best possible surgical outcome.
– Lasting Pain Relief
Spinal curvature can place excessive pressure on the nerves, discs, and muscles, leading to persistent pain. By restoring proper alignment and stabilizing the spine, surgery helps relieve pressure on these structures. Spinal decompression allows discs to retract, eases muscle tension, and enables nerves to move freely, thereby reducing the pain.
Most patients who undergo surgery for spinal curvature experience a noticeable improvement in their pain levels a year after the procedure.
– Effective Prevention of Curvature Progression
Some spinal curvatures can worsen over time, causing increased pain, muscle imbalances, nerve compression and, in severe cases, impaired organ function and disability.
Surgery is essentially aimed at correcting the curvature to stop it from getting worse and reduce the risk of complications.
– Better Mobility
Many individuals with severe spinal curvature struggle with movement restrictions due to pain and problems with balance and coordination. By addressing these issues, surgery effectively improves mobility. With improved mobility, patients are able to participate in low-impact physical activities and perform daily tasks with ease.
– Improved Well-Being and Quality of Life
Spinal curvature not only affects a person’s physical health; it can also take a toll on their emotional well-being. Many individuals with significant spinal deformities experience self-consciousness, anxiety, or depression due to their appearance and/or physical limitations.
While it does not always restore how a person’s body looked prior to developing the condition, surgery can help one find renewed confidence that comes from having good posture and being able to do the things they enjoy pain-free. The ability to move without pain or limitations often leads to greater independence, renewed enthusiasm and, ultimately, a better quality of life.
Long-Term Risks of Surgery for Curvature of the Spine
While spinal surgery for curvature of the spine has remarkable benefits, it is important to consider that it is not devoid of potential risks. Although advancements in surgical techniques have made spinal surgery much safer, complications can still occur over time.
Here are some of the long-term risks associated with spinal fusion and other corrective procedures for spinal curvature that you need to thoroughly discuss with your orthopedic spine surgeon:
– Hardware Failure
Correcting spinal curvature often involves stabilizing the spine, which requires the use of rods, plates, or screws to anchor the vertebrae together. While spinal fixation hardware is designed for long-term use, there is a small risk that it may break, loosen, or shift over time, leading to recurrence of pain and other symptoms that were initially alleviated by surgery.
Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are needed to assess the condition of the hardware. If significant issues are found, revision surgery may be required to replace or adjust the implants, ensuring continued spinal stability and symptom relief.
– Pseudarthrosis (Failed Spinal Fusion)
Pseudarthrosis, also known as failed spinal fusion or nonunion of the spine, is one of the most common long-term complications of the procedure. It occurs when the affected vertebrae fail to heal and fuse as intended, resulting in ongoing pain, instability, and the potential need for a second procedure to achieve proper fusion. Risk factors for failed fusion include obesity, osteoporosis, smoking, and diabetes.
– Adjacent Segment Degeneration (ASD)
Stabilizing the spine involves eliminating the movement at the treated vertebral segments. The problem with this is that the loss of movement can overload the adjacent spinal segments. The additional strain can lead to their degeneration. This causes pain and stiffness that could require further treatment.
– Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)
Although spinal surgery aims to relieve pain, certain factors—such as incorrect diagnosis, hardware failure, nonunion, and excessive scar tissue formation—can render the procedure counterproductive, resulting in persistent, recurrent, or chronic pain afterwards. This is known as failed back surgery syndrome.
Depending on the severity, FBSS may require conservative treatment (e.g., medications and physical therapy) or additional surgery.
Surgery for Curvature of the Spine in Rochester Hills, Bad Axe, or Royal Oak, MI
Surgeries for spinal curvatures are highly complex procedures whose long-term outcomes are influenced by several key factors—most notably, the surgeon’s expertise, the surgical technique used, the patient’s overall health, and adherence to postoperative care and rehabilitation. It goes without saying that having a trusted, highly skilled surgeon by your side to provide expert care and guidance is paramount to the success of your spinal surgery.
If you are in search of one in the Rochester Hills, MI area, look no further than Dr. Bradley Ahlgren here at Ahlgren Spine. Dr. Ahlgren prides himself on not only his expertise but also his strong commitment to delivering the best possible treatment outcomes. He takes every measure to ensure your comfort, safety, satisfaction, and long-term well-being.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ahlgren, call our office at (248) 215-8080. You may also use this secure form right here on our website.
