Spinal Surgery Research
Experts estimate that nearly 600,000 Americans opt for back operations each year. But for many, surgery is just an empty promise, say pain management experts along with many top surgeons.
A new study shows that in many cases surgery can often backfire, leaving patients in more pain with as much as a 41 percent increase in the use of painkillers following spinal surgery.
NBC NEWS, Carroll, L. Back surgery may backfire on patients in pain. Oct. 2010
Supporting Resources
No operation in any field of surgery leaves in its wake more human wreckage than spinal surgery on the lumbar discs. Many lumbar disc surgery patients are subjected to numerous operations, and after each operation, the patient is worse.”
ANTHONY DEPALMA, M.D., Professor of Orthopedic Surgery
Complication rates for spinal surgical intervention in degenerative disc disease are as high as 55% and include hematoma, neurological adjacent segment degeneration, infection and hardware failure.
-Deyo, R., Gray, D., Kreuter, W. U.S. trends in lumbar disc surgery of degenerative conditions. Spine, 2005; 30(12)
DISC HERNIATIONS when dealt with in the first six months have better outcomes than discs that are not dealt with quickly.
-Rihn, J., Hilibrand, A., Radcliff, K. Duration of Symptoms Resulting from Lumbar Disc Herniation: Effect on Treatment Outcomes
There is a time and place for surgery, but conservative measures should always be exhausted first — and the leading conservative approach is Chiropractic care.
42.7% of workers who first saw a surgeon ended up in surgery, as opposed to only 1.5% of those who first saw a chiropractor.
-The Spine Journal, Trang N., M.D., Ph.D; Randolph, D., M.D.; Talmage, J., M.D. Long term Outcomes of Lumbar Fusion Among Workers’ Compensation Subjects. Spine. 36(4):320-331, Feb 15, 2011
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Surgery should always be the last resort. Contact us today to learn how Chiropractic care can be a safe, conservative first step in addressing spinal health concerns.