Back & Spine Surgery

Creating Better Outcomes with Cutting-Edge Care

If you suffer from chronic back pain that interferes with your daily life and conservative treatments like medications and physical therapy have failed to relieve your symptoms, it may be time to consider surgery. At SSM Health we recognize that the decision to have surgery comes with its own set of worries. Our team can guide you through available options and help you understand what to expect if you decide to have surgery.

For conditions in which surgery is warranted, advanced medical equipment and new minimally invasive surgical procedures are creating better outcomes for patients. At SSM Health, our surgeons offer specialized expertise in a full range of open and minimally invasive spine surgeries – and use some of the most sophisticated and state-of-the-art surgical technology to help you overcome spine problems. Take the first step and schedule an appointment with one of our back and spine specialists for a consultation.

Back & Spine Procedures

SSM Health surgeons perform a full-range of spine procedures from minimally invasive procedures to complex spine surgeries and trauma care, including:

• Cervical/Neck Fusion
• Lumbar Fusion
• Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
• Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
• Oblique Laterial Interbody Fusion
• Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
• Sacral-iliac Fusion (SI Joint Fusion)
• Cervical Disc Replacement
• Discectomy
• Laminectomy
• Microdiscectomy

Recovering from Back and Spine Surgery

Your recovery from back surgery begins in the hospital where you’ll receive coordinated, specialty care from our physicians and nurses. You will be encouraged to walk soon after surgery. Depending on the type of surgery you have, you may be able to return home the same day or you may need to spend a few days in the hospital. In most cases, your doctor will recommend physical or occupational therapy as part of your recovery.

Managing Pain After Back Surgery

Talk to your doctor before surgery to find out what you can expect in regard to pain after surgery. Some questions to ask your doctor include:

• What amount of pain is normal after back or spine surgery?
• How long does the pain usually last?
• What pain medicine will I receive? Do I have different options?
• How long will I take the pain medication prescribed?
• Will I need to ask for the pain medication or will it be administered automatically?

You are the only one who knows how much pain you feel and what makes it feel better. Tell your doctor or nurse if the prescribed pain medicine is not helping or if your pain changes during your recovery.