Most people who suffer from chronic back pain do not need to undergo surgery. Surgery is usually used to treat chronic back pain when other treatments have not worked. You may need surgery if you have the following conditions: Disc prolapse. When one or more of the discs that protect the vertebrae are damaged, the jelly-like core in the center of the disc can leak out and cause pain. Spinal stenosis. This condition causes the lumen of the spinal canal to become narrowed. Spondylolisthesis. One or more bones in the spine slip out of their normal position, causing the spine to narrow. Spinal fracture. Causes of spinal fractures include blows to the spine or bone breakdown due to osteoporosis. Degenerative disc disease. As people age, some discs can rupture, causing severe pain. Tumors, infections or cauda equina syndrome (a nerve root disorder) are less common to cause back pain. If any of these conditions are present, the patient will need to undergo immediate surgery to relieve the pain and prevent others.