Spine Surgery
Spine surgery focuses on the evaluation and treatment of conditions affecting the neck, back, lower back, spinal alignment and nerve structures. Treatment decisions are made according to the patient’s symptoms, physical examination findings, neurological status and imaging results.
Short answer
Spine surgery evaluates conditions such as scoliosis, kyphosis, lumbar disc herniation, cervical disc herniation, spine deformities, nerve compression, spinal imbalance, and selected adult spine problems.
Not every spine condition requires surgery. Treatment decisions are made by evaluating the patient’s symptoms, physical examination findings, neurological status, spinal alignment, and imaging results together.
Which conditions are evaluated in spine surgery?
Spine surgery evaluates conditions such as scoliosis, kyphosis, lumbar disc herniation, cervical disc herniation, spine deformities, nerve compression, spinal imbalance, and selected adult spine problems.
Not every spine condition requires surgery. Treatment decisions are made by evaluating the patient’s symptoms, physical examination findings, neurological status, spinal alignment, and imaging results together.
Scoliosis
A three-dimensional spinal deformity that may affect spinal alignment and trunk balance.
Child · Adolescent · Spinal Balance
Kyphosis
Increased rounding of the upper back may be related to posture, Scheuermann’s kyphosis, or structural spinal deformity.
Rounded Back · Posture · Upper Back
Lumbar Disc Herniation
A lower back condition that may be evaluated with leg pain, numbness, weakness, and signs of nerve compression.
Lower Back · Leg Pain · Nerve Compression
Cervical Disc Herniation
Neck pain radiating to the arm, numbness, weakness, or signs of spinal cord compression may be evaluated within this condition.
Neck · Arm Pain · Numbness
Spine Deformities
Spinal deformities are evaluated not only by curve angle, but also by trunk balance, shoulder level, pelvic balance, and their impact on daily life.
Balance · Curvature · Trunk Alignment
Adult Spine Problems
Spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, adult scoliosis, spinal arthritis, and problems related to previous spine surgery may be evaluated together.
Spinal Stenosis · Spondylolisthesis · Adult Scoliosis
How are spine conditions evaluated?
Spine evaluation begins with a detailed patient history. Pain location, duration, radiation of pain, night pain, numbness, weakness, walking capacity, previous treatments, and any prior spine surgery are reviewed.
During the physical examination, posture, spinal balance, shoulder and pelvic level, trunk shift, range of motion, muscle strength, reflexes, sensory findings, and walking balance are evaluated.
1. Listening to the patient's symptoms
2. Physical examination
3. Imaging assessment
4. Treatment planning
How are treatment options determined?
The treatment plan is determined according to the type and severity of the condition, risk of progression, presence of nerve compression, spinal balance, and the impact on the patient’s daily life.
- Follow-up and lifestyle modifications
- Physical therapy and exercise
- Interventional procedures
- Surgical treatment
Some spine conditions may be followed without surgery. In mild, stable, or non-progressive cases, regular follow-up, daily life modifications, activity planning, weight control, and ergonomic measures may be sufficient.
The decision for follow-up is based on symptoms, examination findings, spinal balance, and imaging results. The aim is to monitor whether the condition is progressing and to update the treatment plan when necessary.
Physical therapy and exercise programs may help support muscle strength, flexibility, posture control, and daily function.
Not every exercise is suitable for every patient. In patients with lower back, neck, or spinal deformity problems, the exercise plan should be individualized according to the cause of pain, neurological findings, age, general health status, and spinal structure.
In selected patients, injections, nerve blocks, or other interventional pain management options may be considered to evaluate the source of pain or help control symptoms.
These procedures are not necessary for every patient. The decision is based on examination findings, imaging results, pain location, and response to previous treatments.
Surgical treatment may be considered in patients with progressive nerve compression, significant weakness, advanced spinal deformity, impaired spinal balance, or resistant conditions that seriously affect daily life.
The goal of spine surgery is not only to correct the appearance. It may aim to relieve nerve compression, restore spinal balance, stop deformity progression, reduce pain, and improve daily function.
When is spine surgery considered?
Spine surgery is not the first treatment option for most patients. Many lower back, neck, and upper back complaints may be followed or treated with non-surgical methods.
Surgical treatment is planned by evaluating the patient’s symptoms, physical examination findings, neurological status, spinal balance, and imaging results together.
Therefore, the decision for surgery should not be based only on an MRI or X-ray result, but on the patient’s overall clinical picture.
Surgical treatment may be considered in the following situations:
- Progressive muscle weakness
- Significant nerve compression
- Arm or leg pain resistant to treatment
- Advanced spinal curvature
- Marked impairment of spinal balance
- Spinal deformities with a high risk of progression in children and adolescents
- Spine problems that seriously affect daily life
- Structural problems after previous spine surgery
Sudden weakness in the arms or legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, progressive numbness, or severe spine pain after trauma requires prompt medical evaluation.
Common misconceptions
Treatment decisions in spine conditions are usually not made according to a single imaging result. The patient’s symptoms, physical examination findings, and overall clinical condition should be evaluated together.
No. MRI findings alone are not enough to decide on surgery. Symptoms, physical examination findings, signs of nerve compression, and response to treatment should be evaluated together.
You can schedule an evaluation for spine-related symptoms
For lower back, neck, or upper back pain; spinal curvature; posture problems; pain radiating to the arm or leg; numbness; or weakness, a face-to-face orthopedic evaluation is needed to plan the most appropriate treatment.
This page was prepared based on Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Öner’s clinical evaluation approach in orthopedics and traumatology and has been medically reviewed.
Last updated: August 26, 2026
