Dr. David Hanscom, MD., is Seattle's leading orthopedic spine surgeon at Seattle Neuroscience Specialists with Swedish Medical Center. He is a salvage surgeon and operates only as a last resort. He specializes in complex spine problems in all areas of the spine, and has expertise in adult and pediatric spinal deformities, such as scoliosis and kyphosis. Many of his patients have had multiple prior spine surgeries. He has successfully treated hundreds of patients, non-surgically, for chronic pain. 
There are non-operative options to improve someone's spinal function and back pain, but there are urgent indictions for back surgery. It is important to note that delaying surgury may compromise the outcome.
Leading orthopedic spine surgeon, Dr. David Hanscom, MD, speaks about the different variables you need to consider before you undergo spinal surgery and where you fit into the spectrum.