Surgery may be a good option for back pain

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Harvard doctors advise on whether you need surgery for a back problem.
Back pain affects up to 80 per cent of the US population. Often rest, painkillers and some exercises will bring relief. But if pain becomes severe and debilitating, you may wish to consider surgery. Doctors at Harvard Medical School give advice on what can be a difficult decision. For much of the research on the outcomes of back surgery has been inconclusive, and new procedures are being introduced all the time.

Herniated disk, spinal stenosis and degenerative disease are the three causes of back pain for which surgery might be an option. In herniated disk, a recent study showed similar outcomes for surgical and non-surgical treatments. So the choice should be guided by patient preference. Research has shown good results for surgery for spinal stenosis, with any lingering pain being readily controlled by medication. But experts are now beginning to wonder if there are not too many surgeries performed for degenerative disease. If you continue to be troubled by back pain, ask your physician to talk you through the various options - both surgical and non-surgical.

Source
Harvard Health Letter February 2007

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