Alsone 789 Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 (edited) Always a risk with back surgery. One slip and you're paralysed. That said, many people have successful back surgery on discs (it's technically a bulge not a slipped disc), and they're then fine. This is what a "slipped" (bulging) disc really is: As you can see the disc is bulging and pressing against the nerves (yellow). The surgeon has to cut the protrusion away from the nerves and so you can see how vulnerable the nerves are to a single slip. That said most surgeries are completely successful but if you happen to be the one the surgeon slips on then... I know that probably puts you off, but I think you have to remember ALL surgery carries risk and you have to weigh the benefits against the very slight risk of a bad outcome. I'm, not a doctor or medic (just someone who's had back problems themselves), so I don't know the typical success rates but I'm sure the number of people paralysed in operations is very very small indeed. Otherwise it would never be recommended over painkillers. Edited June 13, 2014 by Alsone 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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