Afraid spine surgery could leave you paralysed? Serious nerve injury is rare with modern techniques. For most back and leg pain that is not an emergency, surgery is considered only after other treatment has not helped.
Not sure if you need surgery? WhatsApp your X-ray or MRI to +92 300 4890692 to book a consultation. Dr Malik will need to examine you before advising on surgery.
Spine surgery myths and facts
Myth: Spine surgery always leads to paralysis.
Fact: Serious nerve injury is rare with modern techniques.
Myth: Surgery should always be avoided.
Fact: Most people try other treatment first. But if leg weakness keeps getting worse, delay can make nerve damage worse.
Myth: Recovery takes years.
Fact: It depends on the operation. After a small operation, such as removing part of a slipped disc, many people recover within weeks. A fusion (screws and rods) takes longer, often several months. See our guide to what to expect before and after spine surgery.
What affects how safe it is for you?
Three things matter:
- The surgeon and the hospital
Choose a surgeon who is registered with the PMDC, has a qualification in orthopedic surgery or neurosurgery, and does spine operations regularly. They should explain your options and risks clearly. The hospital should have germ-free theatres and close aftercare.
- Your general health
Diabetes, smoking, heavy weight and heart disease can raise the risk. Checks before surgery help get these under control.
Stop smoking and all tobacco, including naswar and chewing tobacco. It slows bone and wound healing.
- The type of operation
For suitable patients, smaller-cut (minimally invasive) surgery can mean less blood loss and getting up a little sooner. Long-term results are similar. Some complex problems need a larger operation.
What are the risks of spine surgery?
Every operation has some risk. Yours depends on the problem, the operation and your general health.
Is spine surgery dangerous?
Not usually, when it is needed and well planned. Serious problems are uncommon.
What makes spine surgery riskier?
Risk rises if a trapped nerve is left until the leg is getting weaker, or if recovery advice is not followed. For most back pain, trying other treatment first is safe.
When is back pain an emergency?
Go to an emergency department now if you have back or leg pain with: loss of bladder or bowel control, new difficulty passing urine, numbness around the private parts, inner thighs or buttocks, or new or quickly worsening weakness in the legs.
Severe back or neck pain after a fall or accident: keep the person still, do not move them, and call Rescue 1122.
Dr Malik's clinics are open only at set times: Monday–Saturday, 7–9 PM at Omar Hospital. With any of these signs, do not wait for a clinic. Go to the nearest emergency department. You can also WhatsApp your scans and medical history to +92 300 4890692, and Dr Malik will arrange for you to be seen in the emergency department.
Back pain with a fever or feeling very unwell needs a doctor the same day. If the clinic is closed, go to an emergency department. See a doctor within days, not weeks, if back pain comes with weight loss you can't explain, pain that is worse at night, or a past history of cancer or TB.
For these, or for back pain without any of these signs, WhatsApp or call +92 300 4890692 to book a consultation.
Which problems are common, and which are rare?
Most people recover without serious problems. Some have stiffness, soreness or less flexibility for a while.
Less common problems:
- Infection, bleeding, or blood clots in the legs
- Nerve or spinal cord injury (this is rare)
- Problems from the anesthesia (the medicine that puts you to sleep)
- A tear in the covering of the nerves that leaks spinal fluid (dural tear)
- Slow bone healing
- Ongoing pain, or needing another operation (in some people)
The team works to prevent these and acts quickly if they happen.
After spine surgery: when to get help
Go to the nearest emergency department now or call Rescue 1122 if you have:
- new or worsening weakness or numbness in the legs
- new problems passing urine or controlling your bowels, or numbness around the private parts
- chest pain or sudden breathlessness
- after an operation through the front of the neck: new swelling in the neck, or difficulty breathing or swallowing
Call the clinic the same day if:
- the wound is red, hot, swollen or leaking, or you have a fever
- clear watery fluid comes from the wound, or you get a bad headache when you sit or stand up
- your calf is painful or swollen
If you cannot reach the clinic, go to the nearest emergency department.
How the team keeps you safe
Safety steps include:
- Detailed scans and diagnosis before surgery
- A germ-free (sterile) operating theatre
- Close monitoring while you are under anesthesia
- Careful surgical planning
- A guided exercise and recovery plan after surgery
When is spine surgery needed?
For most problems that are not emergencies, surgery is considered only after medicines, physiotherapy or injections have not helped. Emergencies, such as an unstable fracture or a badly trapped nerve, may need surgery sooner.
Surgery may be needed when:
- Pain keeps getting worse
- A trapped nerve causes weakness or numbness
- Walking or moving becomes hard
- Daily activities are affected
The aim is to stop further damage and get you back to daily life.
How successful is spine surgery?
It depends on the problem.
- Sciatica from a slipped disc: sciatica is pain running down the leg. Many slipped discs settle on their own within weeks to a few months. If the pain does not settle, surgery to free the trapped nerve (decompression) usually eases the leg pain.
- Back pain with no clear cause: results are less predictable.
Success means less pain and an easier daily life, not always zero discomfort.
Why do some operations not help?
Symptoms can continue after surgery because of:
- A wrong diagnosis
- Nerve damage that was already severe before surgery
- Not enough guided exercise (rehabilitation) afterwards
- Expectations that were not realistic
Careful diagnosis, and a clear talk about what surgery can and cannot do, help prevent this.
Is spine surgery worth it?
When other treatment has not helped, surgery can make daily life much better for severe pain, nerve damage or trouble moving. But it does not help everyone, so benefit is weighed against risk.
What can you try before surgery?
Before suggesting surgery, doctors often try:
- Physiotherapy
- Pain-relief medicines
- Injections
- Lifestyle changes
These also show whether surgery is really needed. For most back and leg pain, physiotherapy and medicines are tried first, often for several weeks. Surgery is discussed sooner if a leg is getting weaker or there are emergency signs.
When is surgery not the right choice?
Surgery may not suit you if:
- Your symptoms are mild
- Your pain is getting better with other treatment
- Your health makes an operation unsafe
Spine surgery with Dr Imran Salim Malik, Lahore
Dr Malik is an orthopedic and trauma surgeon in Lahore, at Omar Hospital & Cardiac Centre. He looks at each case on its own and explains surgical and non-surgical options before recommending treatment.
He has more than 20 years of experience in orthopedic surgery. If you need spine surgery, Dr Malik performs it himself.
Want Dr Malik's view on your scans? WhatsApp your X-ray or MRI to +92 300 4890692 to book a consultation. Dr Malik will need to examine you before advising on surgery.
So, how safe is spine surgery?
Spine surgery is generally safe when it is done for the right reason, usually after other treatment has been tried. If you are unsure, get an opinion first.
Questions families ask
How long is the hospital stay, and what does it cost?
The stay depends on the operation. It is usually shorter after a small disc operation and longer after a fusion. Dr Malik will tell you how long you are likely to stay.
The consultation fee depends on the hospital you visit. We tell you the exact fee on WhatsApp before you book, so there are no surprises. A follow-up visit within 5 days of your first consultation is free to go through your reports and scans.
The cost of surgery depends on the operation, the implant, the room and the nights in hospital. It is explained to you before you decide.
From the clinics of Dr Imran Salim Malik, orthopaedic and trauma surgeon. MBBS (Allama Iqbal Medical College) · MS (Trauma & Orthopaedics) · PMDC Reg. 39646-P. Every patient is different: Dr Malik will tell you what applies to you.
