Spine surgery is an ordeal many of us will undergo one day. The numbers just can't be avoided! It is estimated that in the US 4.6 million people will need spine surgery in our life time, and around 530,000 spine procedures were carried out just in 1999.

As luck would have it, in most people, the outcomes are great. For example, a research document in 2005 of a study of 622 of 847 people treated in 2002 reported 70 percent went back to their employment and full time activities. And, 85 percent told researchers they usually never used drugs for pain, following their spine surgery.

Back pain is a common first sign of the need for surgery, as you probably know.

Older people will often have some back pain as old knocks and many years of bad posture eventually over take them.

Don't be in a hurry, when you get initial pain. If for no other reason than it is going to be costly. And, of course, frequently pain is caused by things like soft tissue inflammation, spasms in the muscles, or arthritis. You don't need surgery for any of those issues. Simply a physiotherapist or even a acupuncture or massage professional will often fix you up completely.

Where back pain persists, determining if spine surgery is needed with traditional examinations and x-rays, instead of a MRI scan, is all you need because these get sufficient facts in 85 percent of cases.

However, when you know you will need surgery then the MRI equipment will give your doctor a lot of good information on your back.

Ask your doctor about that information, however. Because research shows that after five years those who had back pain and opted for surgery said they had as much relief from pain, or better mobility, than those who didn't. So when your doctor talks about spine surgery, get a second opinion.

Len McGrane