Most people with common types of back and back-related leg pain are not candidates for back surgery. Fewer than five percent have a problem that can be solved by an operation. Spine surgery is done to treat only very specific conditions. If your doctor suspects such a problem, you may be referred to a surgeon for further assessment and testing. But even then, you may not need back surgery. If you do, the success rate for the proper operation for the right indications is very high. The surgery is major but, surprisingly, it is not particularly dangerous.