Back & Spine Surgery

When back problems cause constant pain, limit your movement, or interfere with your ability to sleep, work, or go about your day, spine surgery may be part of the solution. At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, we offer a full range of spine treatments — from physical therapy to advanced spinal operations — to relieve pain, restore mobility, and improve long-term function based on the demands of your specific condition.

Some patients improve with guided exercise, posture training, or precision-guided injections. Others need back surgery to relieve nerve pressure, stabilize the spine, or correct structural damage. Hoag Orthopedic Institute's team of physical therapists, back specialists, and board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeons collaborates to provide individualized, targeted care to meet each patient's needs.

Types of Back and Spine Surgeries

The spine is a complex structure — even a small injury or area of degeneration can trigger pain, weakness, or serious disruptions throughout the body. A wide range of back surgery types is available to relieve pressure, stabilize the spine, and restore strength and mobility.

Depending on your condition, back surgery may involve:

• Decompression procedures
  To relieve nerve pressure caused by herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or other structural problems. These spinal operations includelaminectomy, laminotomy,discectomy, and microdiscectomy.
  
• Spinal fusion and stabilization
  To repair areas of instability or deformity. Options includespinal fusion, anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), cervical fusion, and bone grafting procedures.
  
• Disc replacement and motion-preserving techniques
  Artificial disc replacement or cervical arthroplasty replaces damaged discs to relieve pain and instability while preserving the range of motion without spinal fusion.
• Fracture repair and vertebral augmentation
  In cases of trauma or compression fractures, procedures such as kyphoplasty can help restore spinal alignment and relieve pain.
  
• Minimally invasive spine surgery
  When appropriate, a minimally invasive surgical approach to back surgery reduces damage to surrounding muscle tissue and supports faster recovery.

Every spine surgery is planned with advanced imaging, diagnostic precision, and careful evaluation of your health, symptoms, goals, and spinal anatomy.

Back and Spine Conditions Treated with Surgery

Back surgery treats structural problems that cause chronic pain, limited mobility, or nerve compression. These conditions include:

• Herniated discs that press on nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness
• Spinal stenosis that narrows the spinal canal and makes walking or standing difficult
• Degenerative disc disease with chronic back pain or nerve compression
• Spondylolisthesis or other vertebral instability causing nerve-related symptoms
• Sciatica that radiates pain down one or both legs
• Spinal fractures from trauma or osteoporosis
• Spinal deformities such as scoliosis that impair posture or mobility
• Cervical spine conditions that affect the neck, shoulders, and upper limbs

We evaluate each patient individually to determine whether spine surgery is the most appropriate path forward — and if so, which procedure offers the best chance of long-term relief, restored function, and improved quality of life.

When Is Back Surgery Recommended?

Back surgery is only recommended when imaging and clinical findings show a structural problem that cannot be corrected through non‑surgical treatments. In some cases, a spinal operation is the most effective way to relieve pressure on the nerves, stabilize the spine, or correct deformity.

If your back condition causes chronic pain, limits your mobility, interferes with sleep, or disrupts your daily life — and conservative care like physical therapy, rest, or injections fails to provide lasting relief — spinal surgery may be the most effective way to correct the underlying issue and help you return to the activities you love.

Recovery After Spine Surgery

Your recovery following spine surgery depends on your condition, overall health, the type of procedure performed, and how fully you commit to your physical therapy. While your experience will be unique, most patients’ general recovery timelines include:

• Minimally invasive procedures, like discectomy or endoscopic decompression: recovery often takes 4–6 weeks
• Moderate procedures, like laminectomy or artificial disc replacement: expect 8–12 weeks
• More extensive back surgeries, like spinal fusion: recovery can take 3–6 months or longer for full function

Most patients are up and walking within a day or two of back surgery, using a cane or walker at first. Physical therapy typically begins early and is essential to regaining strength and mobility.

Your surgical team will provide a clear, personalized recovery plan, including activity restrictions, rehabilitation steps, physical therapy, and realistic goals for your return to daily life.

Connect with Our Back and Spine Specialists for Surgery Options

If you’ve been diagnosed with a back condition that may require spine surgery, or if conservative treatment hasn’t provided relief, it’s time to consult a specialist. At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeons perform advanced procedures tailored to your diagnosis, spinal anatomy, and long-term goals.

Our team offers comprehensive care — from diagnostic imaging through rehabilitation — with a focus on safety, surgical precision, and lasting relief. Whether you need decompression, disc replacement, spinal fusion, or a minimally invasive approach to spine surgery, you’ll find expert guidance and support at every stage.

Request a consultation to discuss your back surgery options with a qualified spine specialist.