If you’re thinking about having back surgery, you should
know that spinal fusion surgery is a risky procedure that’s
most likely to fail. It has failed so often, it has become associated with a
special, diagnostic category – Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS). This means that the vertebral bones operated upon have
failed to heal, solid fusion has failed to occur, back pain will continue
unrelieved and, more often than not, you’ll need another operation.
Many knowledgeable physicians and surgeons have studied the
issue. What do they have to say
about the risks vs. benefits of spinal fusion surgery?
“It’s amazing how much evidence there is that fusions don’t
work, yet surgeons do them anyway.”
Sohail Mirza, MD, Chairman, Department of Orthpaedics, Dartmouth
Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire.
“... among patients having surgery for degenerative disc
disease, those who had spinal fusion surgery had nearly twice the rate of
reoperations compared to those who did not have surgery ...” Richard A. Deyo, MD, MPH, University
of Washington, School of Public Health and Community Medicine.
"This procedure is offered to improve pain and
function, yet objective outcomes showed increased permanent disability, poor
return to work status, and higher doses of opioids."
Dr. Trang H. Nguyen of University of Cincinnati
College of Medicine.
Don’t let your back pain drive you to the spine
surgeon. Lumbar pain is a
self-limiting condition and you’ll eventually recover without any treatment
whatsoever. If the pain persists after
6 weeks, find a good physical therapist.
The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends
conservative treatment for those who suffer chronic low back pain. This includes restricted bed rest (not
to exceed two days), continued activities, medication and rehabilitation (which
can include chiropractic care).
No comments:
Post a Comment