Low back pain is the second leading reason for patient visits
to their primary care physician; up to 90% of people suffer
from it at least once in their adult lives. A recent review
of related studies in the
Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
showed that the highest rate of back surgery in the developed
world is in the U.S., with the most common surgical procedure
of the lower spine being removal of disc herniation. Despite
these statistics, the cause of low back pain remains elusive
and there is conflicting evidence over the best form of treatment.
The authors of this literature review evaluated studies on
current surgical and nonsurgical treatments for lumbar (lower
back) disc herniations, to determine the short- and long-term
results of each. Several different leading surgical approaches
were discussed.
No statistical difference was noted in long-term outcomes
between surgical and nonsurgical options for low back pain
treatment. Only short-term relief of hip pain was shown as
more successful through surgical intervention. (Note:
Recent studies in the literature have shown comparable results
between surgical and nonsurgical approaches to hip pain.)
The authors recommend that aggressive rehabilitation combined
with pain control may be the best treatment option for low
back pain.
Surgery remains a controversial treatment option for low
back pain. When you consider the costs and complications associated
with surgery, almost any other option may be better. Talk
to your doctor of chiropractic about nonsurgical approaches
to managing low back pain, or visit https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/backpain.html.
Reference:
Memmo PA, Nadler S, Malanga G. Lumbar disc
herniations: A review of surgical and non-surgical indications
and outcomes. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
2000: 14(3), pp. 79-88.
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