Spinal Care

You should consider seeing a spine specialist if back or neck pain lasts longer than a few weeks, keeps returning, limits daily activities, or interferes with sleep, work or exercise. It’s also important to seek evaluation if you have symptoms such as numbness, tingling, weakness or limited mobility. Immediate medical attention may be needed for symptoms such as loss of balance, bowel or bladder changes, or significant weakness.

A spine specialist can assess your condition, identify the cause of your symptoms and recommend the most appropriate treatment options, which may include medication, physical therapy, exercise, injections or, when conservative treatments are no longer helping, spine surgery.

1. We start by understanding your symptoms and history. Your spine specialist reviews your symptoms, medical history, prior imaging and past treatments to better understand the cause of your pain.

2. We evaluate, diagnose and build a personalized care plan. After a physical assessment and review of any needed imaging or diagnostic tests, we identify the source of your pain and recommend the treatment options that best fit your needs.

3. We begin with the least invasive treatment whenever appropriate. Many spine conditions can be treated without surgery, so care may begin with physical therapy, rehabilitation, pain management, medication, posture or ergonomic education, home exercise programs or other minimally invasive options. Surgery is considered only when it is the best option for your condition.

4. We coordinate your care and guide you through recovery. Your care team and spine program navigator help schedule next steps, connect you with the right specialists, answer questions and support you from treatment through recovery.

Yes, in many cases spine surgery can help relieve nerve-related symptoms by taking pressure off a spinal nerve or the spinal cord. Procedures such as decompression surgery may reduce radiating arm or leg pain, numbness, tingling and weakness caused by conditions like a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.

Many patients notice improvement in pain sooner than changes in numbness or weakness. That is because nerves can take time to heal, especially if they were compressed for a long time before treatment. The amount of recovery can vary from person to person, but relieving the pressure on the nerve is often an important step toward improving symptoms and helping prevent further nerve damage.

As with any surgery, spine surgery carries risks that may include bleeding, infection, blood clots or reactions to anesthesia. Additional spine-specific risks can include nerve injury, spinal fluid leak, ongoing pain or incomplete symptom relief. In some cases, additional treatment or future surgery may be needed.

Spine surgery can be very effective for carefully selected patients, especially when imaging findings match symptoms such as nerve compression, weakness or loss of function. When appropriate, your care team may recommend nonsurgical treatments first, such as physical therapy, medication or injections.

Your surgeon can help you understand the risks, benefits and expected outcomes of your procedure so you can make an informed decision.

Spine surgery is performed often in the United States, especially for problems such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis and degenerative changes in the neck or back. National registry data show that hundreds of thousands of cervical and lumbar spine operations have been tracked in recent years, with decompression procedures and spinal fusions among the most common.

While success rates vary by procedure and diagnosis, most common spine surgeries are successful for appropriately selected patients. Studies generally show that about 70% to 90% of patients experience meaningful pain relief or improved function, particularly after procedures such as decompression surgery or microdiscectomy.

Even so, surgery is still only one part of spine care, and many people with back or neck pain improve with non-surgical treatment first.

Your spine is made up of 33 bones, called vertebrae, that protect the spinal cord, support your body and help you move. Between these bones are discs that act like cushions. Over time, discs can wear down or become damaged due to injury, arthritis or other conditions, leading to pain, nerve compression and limited movement.

When worn or damaged discs—or other spine conditions—cause pain or limited movement, surgery may help. At the Spine Health Center, our surgeons offer a range of procedures, from minimally invasive options to more complex surgeries, to help relieve pressure and restore function.

Common spine surgeries include:

• Spinal fusion
• Disc replacement
• Laminectomy
• Microdiscectomy
• Kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty
• Scoliosis surgery
• Spinal fracture repair
• Complex spinal reconstruction
• Tumor surgery

Preparation and education can help support a smoother recovery. Before surgery, patients may be encouraged to attend a pre-operative education class that covers what to expect before, during and after surgery. Topics may include:

• How to prepare your home for recovery
• Pain management and mobility after surgery
• Discharge planning and post-hospital care
• How family members or caregivers can help

To register for a class, select the hospital where your surgery will be performed:

• MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center
• MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center
• MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center

Support from a family member, close friend or trusted caregiver can make recovery feel more manageable. If possible, we encourage patients to identify someone who can take an active role before and after surgery. Having a dedicated support person can help patients feel more prepared, confident and cared for throughout the recovery process.

A family member, friend or caregiver may be able to:

• Attend pre-operative education classes with you
• Help you prepare for surgery and recovery at home
• Assist with transportation and daily activities after surgery
• Offer encouragement and help communicate questions or concerns to your care team

What to expect after spine surgery can vary based on the type of procedure, your overall health and how your body heals.

Some minimally invasive procedures may be done on an outpatient basis, while others may require a hospital stay, often about 1 to 3 days.

Recovery time also varies. Some patients are able to return to light activity within a few weeks, while more complex surgeries may require several months of rehabilitation and healing.

Return-to-work timing depends not only on the procedure but also on the physical demands of your job. People with desk-based work may be able to return within about 2 to 4 weeks, while those with more physically demanding jobs may need 8 to 12 weeks or longer.

After spine surgery, it is important to avoid movements and activities that can strain your healing back. In many cases, that means not bending at the waist, lifting heavy items or twisting your spine until your surgeon says it is safe. You may also need to avoid driving (between 2 to 6 weeks), doing high-impact exercise, smoking, alcohol and sitting or standing in one position for too long.

Because recovery instructions can vary based on the type of procedure you had, always follow your surgeon’s guidance on what to avoid and when you can safely return to normal activities.

Protecting your spine starts with healthy daily habits. Staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, practicing good posture and using proper lifting techniques can all help reduce strain on your back and neck.

Exercise can also play an important role in preventing future problems. In many cases, guided stretching and strengthening programs can improve flexibility, posture, stability and overall spine health, while helping support the muscles that protect your spine.

Strengthening your core and avoiding tobacco use can also support long-term spine health.

Because every person is different, your physician or physical therapist can recommend exercises and prevention strategies that are right for your condition, lifestyle and goals.