Back Surgery: Not Always Necessary
According to a study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, a ruptured disk does not necessarily require back surgery. According to some spine surgeons, the results of this large and well-designed study will change their medical practice.
As summarized in a recent New Yorks Times article, "The study was controversial from the start, with many surgeons saying they knew that the operation worked and that it would be unethical for their patients to participate in such a study." Many surgeons believed that a delay in back surgery would cause severe harm, risking permanent nerve damage, weakened leg or loss of bowel or bladder control.
At the end of the two-year study of almost 2,000 patients who waited instead of having the back surgery for sciatica, the results indicated that,"although many patients did not stay with their assigned treatment, most fared well with whatever treatment they had. Patients who had surgery often reported immediate relief. But by three to six months, patients in both groups reported marked improvement." Other non-surgical treatments included physical therapy, counseling and anti-anflamatory drugs.
As summarized in a recent New Yorks Times article, "The study was controversial from the start, with many surgeons saying they knew that the operation worked and that it would be unethical for their patients to participate in such a study." Many surgeons believed that a delay in back surgery would cause severe harm, risking permanent nerve damage, weakened leg or loss of bowel or bladder control.
At the end of the two-year study of almost 2,000 patients who waited instead of having the back surgery for sciatica, the results indicated that,"although many patients did not stay with their assigned treatment, most fared well with whatever treatment they had. Patients who had surgery often reported immediate relief. But by three to six months, patients in both groups reported marked improvement." Other non-surgical treatments included physical therapy, counseling and anti-anflamatory drugs.