Is Lumbar Fusion Appropriate for Chronic Low Back Pain?
New research article titled: “Is lumbar fusion necessary for chronic low back pain associated with degenerative disc disease? A meta-analysis.”
The short answer is “NO”. The researchers came to this conclusion after looking at multiple studies:
‘The present meta-analysis determined that fusion surgery was no better than nonoperative treatment in terms of the pain and disability outcomes either at short- or long-term follow-up. It is necessary for clinicians to weigh the risk of complications associated with fusion surgery against additional surgeries after nonoperative treatment.’
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1878875020325067
Work With Jim
Jim Prussack, MPT, MMT
Jim Prussack MPT, MMT is a licensed physical therapist and chronic somatic symptom coach who has been treating pain and other somatic symptoms for over 20 years. He specializes in chronic pain and chronic health issues using a brain and nervous system approach.
