Spinal surgery for narrowing of the spine or spinal stenosis should not be done until trials with medications and physical therapy have been exhausted or patients have weakness or pain in their extremities. Having surgery on the spine, according to Spine Universe, does relieve 80 to 90 percent of patients of their pain. But surgery on the spine can have serious complications.
Injury to the Spinal Cord or Spinal Nerves
The most serious complication of spinal surgery is paralysis secondary to injury during surgery. This type of complication is rare, but it does occur. During a decompression procedure, the spinal cord and spinal nerves are exposed. The membrane of the spinal cord is like thin rice paper and this covering is easily damaged. An accidental cautery injury or slip of a scalpel can cause permanent damage. The nerves that extend from the spinal cord are very sensitive to handling. Overly vigorous manipulation of these nerves with surgical instruments can cause permanent tingling or burning sensations in the arms or legs after surgery. Permanent weakness and muscle wasting can result from spinal nerve injury.
Spinal Fluid Leak
When the membrane of the spinal cord is perforated, spinal fluid will leak into the spinal canal. If the perforation goes unnoticed during the surgery, the patient may experience significant headaches when sitting upright post-operatively. his is because the spinal fluid maintains a specific pressure within the spinal cord and around the brain. Leakage changes the pressure. Spinal fluid leaks that collect against the spine can cause compression on the spinal cord and create pain and nerve symptoms. This collection can also become infected and lead to spinal meningitis according to Cure-Back-Pain.org.
Failed Back Syndrome
Failed back syndrome is the term used to describe persistent lower back pain or leg pain after surgery according to Spine Universe. Causes of failed back syndrome are neuropathic pain, further stenosis or narrowing, pseudoarthrosis or failed fusion, and/or a failed disc. Forty percent of these patients will have further back operations. Cure-Back-Pain.org states that the number one reason for failed back syndrome is misdiagnosis of the cause of the back pain. Cure-Back-Pain recommends that any psychological issues that contribute to pain should be addressed prior to having surgery on the spine. Unaddressed psychological issues can have a profound impact on the success of spinal surgery.
