What are the specific risks of lumbar spine surgery?
Generally, surgery is fairly safe and major complications are uncommon. The chance of a minor complication is around 3 or 4%, and the risk of a major complication is 1 or 2%. Over 90% of patients should come through their surgery without complications. The specific risks of decompressive lumbar spine surgery and interspinous distractor insertion include (but are not limited to): • Fail to benefit symptoms or to prevent deterioration • Worsening of pain/weakness/numbness • Infection • Blood clot in wound requiring urgent surgery to relieve pressure • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak: this risk is much higher in revision (re-operation) surgery • Surgery at incorrect level (this is rare, as X-rays are used during surgery to confirm the level) • Blood transfusion • Injury to bowel or abdominal blood vessels • Implant failure, movement, or malposition (if an interspinous distractor is used) • Recurrent disc prolapse or nerve compression (the risk is around 10%) • Nerve damage (weakness, numbn
