Surgical Treatment
Summary
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| When to consider surgery | Conservative treatment hasn't helped, nerve symptoms are worsening |
| Decompression | Recommended for LSS without instability. Superior to conservative treatment at 2 years → Details |
| Fusion | Beneficial for cases with instability. Effective for back pain but irreversible → Details |
| Fusion risks | Adjacent segment disease is a concern. Because fusion is irreversible, less invasive options such as SCS may be worth discussing with your doctor first — especially for elderly or high-risk patients, since surgery remains available if SCS does not provide sufficient relief. Note: SCS availability and insurance coverage vary by country and provider; ask your doctor whether this option is accessible to you → Details |
| Minimally invasive surgery | Smaller incisions. Greater benefit for elderly patients |
| Risks | Infection, dural tear, nerve injury, among others |
| Recovery | Gradual improvement over weeks to months |
| If pain persists | Reoperation and SCS are available options |
Next Steps
→ Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) — One option when surgery has not provided sufficient relief
💎 Detailed Treatment Comparison — Compare costs, risks, and long-term outcomes of surgery and SCS (Members only)
💎 Questions for Your Doctor — A complete checklist for your surgical consultation (Members only)