What Is the Success Rate of Spinal Surgery?

Doctors have stated that the success rate of spinal surgery depends on several factors. You have to take into account the patient's history and the doctor's technique during surgery. Most doctors will say that the success rate is very high.

Spinal Surgery Rates

• A spine surgeon generally has high success rates.

  There are several types of spine surgery. The most common are fusion, discectomy and laminectomy. Fusion has a success rate of 98 percent, the discectomy success rate is 90 percent and the laminectomy success rate is 80 percent.

Expert Insight

• Most patients' spinal surgery is successful.

  According to Dr. Allen Levi, "chances of success after anterior cervical 'discectomy' and fusion are high in the range of 90 percent in ... patients." PeaceHealth.org has reported a success rate of 80 percent for laminectomy surgery.

Considerations

• Spinal surgeons need the right instruments.

  You have to take in consideration the skills of the doctor and the surgical team. The type of bone graft and the implants that are used affects the outcome of this type of surgery. Also, surgeons need the proper instrumentation to perform spinal surgery.

Risks

• A spinal surgeon, on the right, explaining the risks of spinal surgery.

  No surgery is without risk. There is always a chance that a surgery may not turn out to be successful. Complications may include infections, blood clots or a nerve injury.

Warning

• Read as much information as you can about spine surgery success rates.

  Perform a search for a good doctor and always get a second opinion before having any surgery. Read books and magazine articles about the success rates of spine surgery and search the Internet.