Deciding whether or not you should undergo surgery to address chronic back pain must be taken seriously.
Approximately 600,000 back surgeries are performed throughout the United States each and every year, despite the fact that there is a growing group of medical researchers who are raising questions about the procedure’s effectiveness.
If you suffer from chronic back pain and are considering surgery for treatment, make sure you have the right information on your side to avoid critical consequences that could permanently affect your health.
Common Back Surgery Procedures
According to a report offered by the Mayo Clinic, the four most common types of back surgery are:
1. Discectomy – A portion of a herniated disc is removed, along with a back portion of the vertebrae.
2. Laminectomy – Removes the bone overlying the spinal canal.
3. Fusion – Connects two or more bones within the spine.
4. Artificial Disk Implementation
How Common Are Failed Back Surgeries?
Back pain is the number one reason why U.S. citizens visit their local doctor, which should make it no surprise that surgeries dedicated to spinal fusion have increased by 70 percent over the last fifteen years.
Major media outlets like CBS News are continuously highlighting issues connected with back surgery, claiming that most back surgery recommendations are not necessary.
According to The Mayo Clinic:
“Back pain is extremely common, and surgery often fails to relieve it,” and “Back surgery can help reduce some causes of back pain, but it’s rarely necessary.”
In one particular study conducted by the journal Spine, researchers reviewed information gathered from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation database.
This review identified 1,450 patients with disc degeneration, radiculopathy (nerve disease), and disc herniation.
Roughly half of these patients followed through with spinal fusion surgery, while the other half acted as a control and did not receive surgical treatment.
In less than two years after, only 26 percent of the patients who underwent back surgery were able to return to work, while the other 67 percent were able to follow through with their everyday routine without an issue.
More concerning is the fact that there was a 41 percent increase in opioid addiction (pain killers) within the group that received spinal fusion surgery.
Avoid Further Back Pain, Choose Chiropractic Care
If your primary physician recommends back surgery to address chronic pain, make sure to hit the brakes right away.
Protect yourself from possible long-term repercussions by:
Educating yourself and asking the right questions
Is this necessary? Are there alternative options to consider? What are the long-term risks/benefits?
Seek a second professional medical opinion
Studies show that 30 percent of patients who asked for a second opinion before receiving back surgery found that most recommendations were not verified.
Most insurance companies require you to seek out another medical expert’s support before allowing surgery to take place.
Visit a Chiropractor at AICA Atlanta
Chiropractors are licensed experts when it comes to addressing musculoskeletal conditions, while most primary physicians are not.
The team at AICA Atlanta only uses non-invasive treatment techniques that address the root causes of back pain, while also providing immediate pain relief.
You can learn more about how Chiropractic care can help address your needs by filling out our online submission form or by calling us at (404) 889-8828.
