IMO (and the opinions of others on this forum, none of us being doctors, but all of us being patients)
surgery should only be considered:- After all other therapeutic options have been tried & failed
- After careful consideration of multiple medical opinions
- If not having surgery would result in permanent damage (e.g. paralysis)
(subject to correction/discussion -- I'm a little distracted this evening and not at my best)
I have "severe" stenosis and discs so degenerated I have 'bone on bone' in my cervical (c5-c7) and lumbar (l3-s1) regions and in both cases, my doctors have advised against surgery
for me, citing that the risks,
in my case, outweighed the potential benefits (better than 50% chance of my coming out the same
or worse). This was several years ago, I get periodic follow-ups, and their opinion has not changed. Looking back, even through the pain and disability, I don't regret not having surgery; it will
always be an option, but it can
never be
undone.
Surgery can correct physical abnormalities; it cannot always eliminate pain.
Back/spinal surgery is the only type of surgery I'm aware of that fails so often they actually have a name for it --
Failed Back Syndrome
See also:
Failed Back Syndrome: The Disturbing Statistics
Doc