Comments on: Why Do Spinal Surgery Rates Continue To Rise?

By: Chiropractor Lynnwood

Chiropractor Lynnwood — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 01:46:44 +0000

I often wonder if it's just my perspective as a chiropractor that makes me believe that surgeries are a poor option. I hope that this helps surgeons and patients to make more careful decisions. I see so many patients that would jump at the chance to have surgery, thinking that it is the answer for anything and everything. At the same time, the perception of a lot chiropractors is that adjustments can help anything and everyone. Wouldn't it be great if there was an easy way to determine who needs surgery and who doesn't? On with the clinical trials!
RESPONSE from Frank: The new European Guidelines for the Management of Acute and Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain specifically states: “Surgery for non-specific CLBP cannot be recommended unless 2 years of all other recommended conservative treatments — including multidisciplinary approaches with combined programs of cognitive intervention and exercises — have failed”.

By: seattle chiropractic

seattle chiropractic — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:43:17 +0000

Back surgery fails 74 percent of the time and yet insurers still cover the procedures and patients still line up for them hoping they want a quick fix. What they too often end up with is a problem that is much worse. Failed back surgery syndrome is “characterized by intractable pain and varying degrees of functional incapacitation occurring after spine surgery”. Where is the logic?

By: New Study Suggests That Back Surgery Fails 74% of the Time - All Injury Rehab & Chiropractic Wellness

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:41:14 +0000

[...] Why Do Spinal Surgery Rates Continue To Rise? Chiro.Org Blog Editorial ~ April 10th, [...]

By: Chiropractors Directory

Chiropractors Directory — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 21:11:10 +0000

[...] New Study Suggests That Back Surgery Fails 74% of the Time ~ Chiro.Org Blog Editorial ~ October 22, 2010 [...]

By: Orem Chiropractor - R. Ned McArthur, D.C.

Orem Chiropractor - R. Ned McArthur, D.C. — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:46:48 +0000

@ Michael – I think you’re right on about the muscle spasm. Another thing I’m sure that contributes is the scar tissue that is produced from the surgery.

By: ChiroOrg Blog « Why Do Spinal Surgery Rates Continue To Rise?

ChiroOrg Blog « Why Do Spinal Surgery Rates Continue To Rise? — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 19:43:02 +0000

[...] Originally posted here: ChiroOrg Blog – For Chiropractic and Chiropractors. “Why Do Spinal Surgery Rates Continue To Rise?” [...]

By: Michael Fiske DC -- Vacaville Chiropractor

Michael Fiske DC -- Vacaville Chiropractor — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 05:56:07 +0000

I would like to see the statistics on failed back surgery. Almost every patient I talk to is deathly afraid of spinal fusions because they know someone who has had the surgery and now has greater pain than before the operation.

The problem I see is that there is tremendous muscle spasm generated by the fusion, probably because of the lack of movement.

By: Chiropractic Singapore

Chiropractic Singapore — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 09:11:56 +0000

Some surgeons know and admit that spinal surgery is not cure that patients are looking for and explain these shortcomings to patients (you bet I surprised when I first spoke to them). I have began working with two spinal surgeons in the past few month here in Singapore. Even when working in private practice they are in my mind giving out honest information to their patients and have referred many of their patients for my care instead.
They also know that even if they remove a disc herniation that needs surgical attention proper follow up rehabilitation is needed.

By: UK Gary

UK Gary — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 06:09:38 +0000

I think the perception, in the general public, is that surgery must cure everything because it is surgery. I have seen too many times people going for an MRI and finding a disc bulge that is assumed to be causing all the pain therefore it must be operated on. I wonder how many back surgery patients were told that even after the spinal surgery they would need conservative rehabilitation, which they could do before the op to see if it made them better.

There will be those that require spinal surgery, but they must earn it first.