Front page article in Wednesday's New York Times about how spinal fusion surgery, which costs $20,000 or so, doesn't give any better results than simple laminectomy, which costs about $5,000. Let's go Behind the Medspeak, for the first time this year.
Guess what? Laminectomy surgery doesn't result in any better long term outcome than no surgery for unexplained back pain. Even better, results of MRI and CT scans don't correlate AT ALL with symptoms.
The New England Journal of Medicine published the definitive study a few years back. No, you won't find it in the waiting room of your back surgeon's office, I'm afraid. No charge for this consult.
Wanna cure your back pain? Simply lose weight and strengthen your abs. That'll do it for 90% of idiopathic back problems. Not much profit in that, though, for my knife-happy colleagues.
Article comments
1 - Mac Diva
Spinal fusion surgery has been considered a good remedy for some symptoms of muscular dystrophy, in the adolescent years when the spine starts to curve severely. It sounds like the procedure has migrated to a less successful application as lucrative procedures are wont to do.
2 - debbie
I can't speak for most people, but the laminectomy made a 'HUGE' difference in my back pain. I had a herniated disc that was pushing into my sciatic nerve and causing a pulsating burning pain down my leg.
After the laminectomy and the swelling went down, I only get back pain when I do something stupid...like forget that I have some slight limitations. Before, I had back pain when I did stuff like sit, lay down, stand, walk, breathe....
3 - dave gershner
Please take a look at my blog and let me know if you might be interested in having any specific questions answered in articles.
The approach of my blog is that people can do many things on their own to diminish some types of pain. I try to help in that regard. I feel your readers might be interested in information about back, neck and shoulder pain relief, and I include advice, products and exercises that can help.
Thank you.
Dave Gershner