Are there ever good outcomes for people having spine surgery?

Yes: As long as the procedure is done for the right reasons and all other modalities have been unsuccessful (meds, injections, physical therapy) spine has helped many people.

Yes: Along with total knee and total hip replacement, routine spine surgeries are amongst the most successful surgeries in orthopaedics when done in the right circumstances. Be sure to select a surgeon who can thoroughly communicate all of the details, risks and benefits of surgery prior, so that an educated, informed decision can be made in whether or not to proceed.

Absolutely: Much of the success of spinal surgery is really in proper patient selection. The success rate of spinal surgery should be in the 90 percent range.