Lumbar Spine Treatments

Surgery is usually considered after conservative treatments—like physical therapy, medications, or injections—fail to relieve symptoms over several months. You may need surgery if you experience persistent back pain, leg numbness or weakness, or difficulty walking that disrupts daily life. Your spine specialist will perform a thorough evaluation and review imaging results to determine the best treatment.

Minimally invasive spine surgery uses smaller incisions and specialized tools to access the spine with less muscle disruption. Benefits include less pain, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery. Not all cases are suitable for minimally invasive techniques; your surgeon will recommend the best approach for your condition.

Recovery depends on the procedure and your overall health. Most patients can walk soon after surgery and return to desk work within 2–4 weeks. Physical therapy typically begins 4–6 weeks post-op. Full recovery, including bone fusion, may take 3–6 months, with some patients continuing to improve for up to a year.

Fusion eliminates motion at the treated levels, but many patients retain overall spinal flexibility. Adjacent segments often compensate for lost motion, and reduced pain often leads to greater activity levels. Your surgeon will explain how your specific fusion might affect your mobility.

Risks include infection, bleeding, nerve injury, and incomplete pain relief. With fusion procedures, there’s a risk of nonunion or stress on adjacent spinal segments. However, serious complications are rare, and our surgical team takes every precaution to minimize risk.

A consultation with one of our specialists is the best way to find out. Factors include your diagnosis, anatomy, surgical history, general health, and lifestyle. Conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and mild instability often respond well to minimally invasive procedures.

That depends on your job and the type of procedure. Many patients with desk jobs return in 2–4 weeks, while those with physically demanding jobs may need 6–12 weeks or more. Minimally invasive surgeries often allow a faster return. Your doctor will provide a personalized timeline based on your progress.

In early recovery, you’ll manage pain with medication and gradually increase activity. If you had fusion surgery, you may need a back brace. Physical therapy usually starts within 4–6 weeks to rebuild strength and mobility. Follow-up appointments will track healing with imaging and physical exams. Most patients see meaningful symptom improvement within a few months.