Spine Surgery: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Spine Surgery?
A spine surgeon performs spine surgery. This is often an orthopedic surgeon, a bone and joint surgeon, or a neurosurgeon, a surgeon who treats the nerves and spine. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
Spine surgery is a group of different operations. People who have spine surgery probably had a problem with one or more disks or spine bones. A disk is a piece of cartilage that separates and cushions the bones in your spine, called vertebrae.
- A diskectomy is surgery to remove all or part of one of your disks.
- A foraminotomy is surgery to widen the opening in your spine where nerve roots leave your spinal column.
- A laminectomy is surgery to remove the lamina, two small bones that make up a vertebra.
- A spinal fusion is surgery to permanently join two or more bones in the spine.
Why a doctor might recommend it
You and your surgeon can decide when you need surgery. The two main surgical options for lumbar spinal stenosis are laminectomy and spinal fusion. Spinal fusion may also be done for injury or fractures to the bones in the spine. It may also be done when infections or tumors make the spine weak or unstable.
How to prepare
Steps before spine surgery may include the following.
- You may be asked to stop blood thinners for a short time in the week before surgery.
- Ask your surgeon which medicines to keep taking on the day of surgery.
- If you smoke, cut back or quit.
- Follow instructions about when to stop eating and drinking.
What happens during it
For a fusion, you get general anesthesia, which puts you into a deep sleep so you do not feel pain during surgery. Other surgery on the spine is almost always done first. A laminectomy removes the bone, bone spurs, and ligaments that are compressing the nerves.
Recovery
Recovery after diskectomy is usually quick. Recovery after laminectomy and fusion surgery is longer. Bones take at least 3 to 4 months to heal well, and healing may continue for at least a year. Do not smoke or use tobacco products after spine surgery.
Contact your surgeon if you have any of these signs.
- Chills or a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
- More pain where you had surgery
- A change of feeling in your arms after neck surgery, or in your legs and feet after lower back surgery
Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if you have numbness in your private area or lose control of your bowel or bladder. This can be cauda equina syndrome, a medical emergency.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, fainting or loss of consciousness, or bleeding that will not stop.
Risks and side effects
Surgery in general can cause bleeding, infection, blood clots, and a reaction to anesthesia. Surgery does not always improve pain, and in some cases it can make it worse. Risks of spinal fusion include the following.
- Infection in the wound or the spine bones
- Damage to a spinal nerve, causing weakness, pain, or loss of feeling
- Leakage of spinal fluid that may need more surgery
Who performs it
A spine surgeon, such as an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon, performs spine surgery.
Common questions
Is spine surgery the same as spinal fusion?
No, there are several kinds of spine surgery. Spinal fusion is the fusing of two bones in your back to correct problems in your spine.
How long is recovery after spine surgery?
Recovery after diskectomy is usually quick. Recovery after laminectomy or fusion surgery is longer. It also depends on how bad your condition was before surgery. Older people with more extensive surgery may take up to 4 to 6 months to get back to work.
Will spine surgery take away all my pain?
No, surgery does not always improve pain, and in some cases it can make it worse. Spinal fusion is unlikely to take away all your pain and other symptoms.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Spine surgery - discharge
- MedlinePlus - Spinal fusion
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - OrthoInfo - Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
