What is Spine & Back Pain?
Spine problems range from muscle strain to herniated discs to spinal stenosis to tumours. The vast majority resolve with targeted physiotherapy, posture correction, and sometimes injections. Surgery is for specific structural issues causing nerve compression — and even then, conservative options come first.
When a second opinion really helps
- You were told you need urgent fusion or disc replacement.
- Surgery was offered before a 6-week trial of structured physiotherapy.
- Minimally-invasive vs open surgery was never discussed.
- Post-surgery pain (failed back surgery syndrome) — a second opinion can uncover missed diagnoses.
Red flags — call 108 / 102 immediately
- Loss of bladder/bowel control (cauda equina — surgical emergency)
- Progressive leg weakness
- Numbness in the 'saddle area' (inner thighs, groin)
- Unexplained weight loss + back pain + fever
Frequently asked questions
Discectomy for a single herniated disc causing sciatica: ~85%. Fusion surgery for degenerative disc disease: only ~50-60% achieve meaningful pain relief. That's why second opinions matter.