by Jennifer M. Smith, Esq.

A recent article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle pointed out that, “solutions to back pain may not include surgery.” Not only are back surgeries not always successful, sometimes surgery does more harm than good. We have certainly seen this in workers’ compensation claims where the injured worker’s condition declines rather than improves following back surgery.

According to the Mayo Clinic, back surgery is medically necessary in only a small percentage of cases. (Back surgery: When is it a good idea?) Patients with pain radiating into their legs due to nerve compression and those with scoliosis or infections may benefit from surgery. Patients with chronic pain are often the ones who are least likely to see a benefit; however, they are often the most likely to want to try surgery because they have dealt with pain for a long time and feel desperate.

When surgery is prescribed, a discectomy, or the removal of the herniated part of vertebral disc, is the most common type of back surgery, according to a Webmd.com article. However, many herniated discs resolve on their own and do not require surgery. Spinal fusions, or operations that involve joining or fusing vertebrae, have been increasing in numbers and can be beneficial for very specific conditions, such as spondylolisthesis (a condition in which one vertebra has slipped over the vertebra below). However, success rates are not nearly as good when fusion surgery is performed to correct degenerative discs. The article on Webmd.com suggests that fewer than half of fusion surgeries are appropriate for the condition which is meant to be treated.

As these articles indicate, any recommendation for back surgery needs to be evaluated closely to determine if it really is an option that will provide relief for the injured worker and second (or third) opinions should be almost always considered.