How can I tell if I need surgery for my pain condition?

To decide if you are a good candidate for surgery, you must consider the level of pain you feel and how it has affected your quality of life. If your pain is constant and incapacitating, and if activity or exercise is limited, even with non-operative treatment, surgery may be a consideration. A good test method to help you determine if a high-tech treatment is necessary is to use a calendar to chart the days when your pain either immobilizing or prevents you from doing your daily tasks and activities. Look back over this calendar in three weeks. If more days are circled than not, or if the pain is not reduced, you should talk to your doctor to see if a high-tech or surgical procedure may help you.