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Back Surgery Helps Some of the People Some of the Time

May 31, 2007 4:38 pm 1 comment

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The question "to cut or not to cut" when treating back pain and sciatica comes a few inches closer to an answer with the publication of two new studies in the New England Journal of Medicine. As Forbes reports, one study shows that back surgery can
effectively relieve pain for certain back problems faster than
nonsurgical means, and another shows that waiting to see if the pain goes away on its
own won’t affect the outcome of surgery if you decide to have
an operation later on. All of which makes the decision, to cut or not to cut, just as difficult as it ever was. One piece of useful news is one study’s evidence that those who elect to go under the knife sooner have a shorter recovery period. Of course, those who take a pass on the surgery have no recovery period at all.  Read more and try to figure out what to do.

1 Comment

  • donna brown
    June 1, 2007
    10:19 am

    I had surgery on my back and I’m glad I did, All my pain is gone.But I did alot of therphy before hand. I think this is just as important as the surgery. I also have a new hip and did a lot of therphy before that. It bring you back faster.

    Reply

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