The most common complication following lumbar spine surgery is an infection, according to the 2025 American Spine Registry, a product of a partnership between the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 

The inaugural report reviewed procedures performed between 2015 and 2023, collecting data on 230,159 lumbar spine procedures, 112,683 cervical spine procedures and patient-reported outcome measures, according to a Feb. 20 news release.

Here are the nine most common lumbar spine surgery complications and the share of incidents: 

1. Infection: 64.8% 

2. All other: 12.1%

3. Hematoma or wound complications: 6.3%

4. GI/Renal/Neuro: 5.4%

5. Postop/unspecified pain: 

6. Acute cardiac/pulmonary: 3.6% 

7. Chronic cardiac/pulmonary: 1.3% 

8. Deep venous thrombosis: 0.8% 

9. Delirium: 0.4%