The Best Ways To Treat Back Pain

Two Studies Spotlight The Differing Effects Of Surgery For Back Ailments

(CBS)  If you suffer from chronic back pain, which is more effective: a long-term treatment or surgery?

The Early Show's Dr. Emily Senay has reviewed the results of two studies printed in the current New England Journal of Medicine. The studies examined two very different types of back problems and the effect of surgical and non-surgical treatment.

The first study looked at treatments for sciatica, a painful condition most commonly caused by a herniated disk; the other painful ailment was degenerative spondylolisthesis, where one vertebra slips forward relative to the one below it. That condition generally strikes after age 50, and affects six times as many women as men.

According to Dr. Senay, sciatica is pain that runs along the sciatic nerve, a very long nerve that extends from the lower back through the buttocks and thigh and down into each leg.

"Several structural problems in the lower back can cause sciatica by putting pressure on that very large nerve," she said. "So can pregnancy, or trauma from an accident. For some people, sciatica causes sporadic discomfort. For others, the pain can be constant, and debilitating."

When surgery was compared with non-surgical treatment of sciatica, the outcomes after one year's time were almost identical. One interesting note: the patients who had an operation endured considerable post-surgical discomfort but after that they tended to improve rapidly, said Dr. Senay. Those who didn't have surgery had a much longer wait for the sciatica pain to recede, so there was a price to pay in time and pain for not getting surgery.

But for degenerative spondylolisthesis, the study indicates that surgery is generally a superior option.

"This condition can compress the spinal canal, and also lead to pain in the legs," explained Dr. Senay. "For this condition, researchers found that surgery tended to be superior to other treatments. Their conclusion was that if the array of symptoms that define this condition are present, surgery is probably preferred — though they did find that delaying or avoiding surgery didn't cause any harm. So patients could take their time and explore options, with no pressure ... other than the pain ... to move quickly," she said. An estimated 40,000 patients a year opt for this surgery.

While the information on these two ailments is useful to those who suffer from them, there is little to be inferred for patients who have other back ailments.

"The results of these new studies are valuable for people with the two conditions we've discussed," said Dr. Senay, "but the conclusions may be quite different for people with other conditions involving the back. And regardless of the back problem that afflicts you ... a detailed talk with your doctor is a must about the pros and cons of the treatments you're considering."

[jaguar0]

Your really did not a good job of telling people how they get sciatica pain Injury,birth, sitting wrong, spending to much time on a computer? Over all Dr. you did a fairly good job, on the rest of the story. The sections, were you talked about your own sciatica problems, was good. For once you got away from that,stolen flat delivery of most of your stories, and shows some human emotion? You could have went into more detail, about the PT treatment, and maybe explain, what is slice open in Surgery? Maybe do a follow up story on how to PREVENT,sciatica pain, and forms of treatment off the normal range of a MD,

[maurine6]

Response to the Emily Senay Back Problems,
I have suffered many years, With severe problems
tried every thing. My lower back has a herniated
disk. Every thing I have tried just won't work.

Then I heard my doctor has come up with a new way
to relieve the pain & add comfort with this new
procedure called the X-Stop You can go on the internet & find out if this is for you.

I am having this done in a San Diego Hospital next week. Will be on line to let you know how I am doing, I believe in his new method. Mo

[ampsanne]

My husband has had two back surgeries, the first in '82 and the other in '96. He was a truck driver and injured his back from his employment. The first time he had the 4th and 5th discs taken out, and the second time the 1st and 2nd. Believe me he has never regretted having it done. And when he tells people about it they can't believe it, as he walks as though nothing has ever be done to his back. His first neurosurgeon told him it's all in the person's frame of mind when having it done. His advice is don't go to a chiropractor as they just screw it up more and it doesn't solve the problem.

[lynnmac3]

What the good doctor doesn't mention is the form the hospital make you sign that says paralysis and death often occur with this operation and that you accept the risk. No thank you! I got chiropractic instead and was free of further pain quickly and easily. It was brilliant.

[lynnmac3]

What the good doctor doesn't mention is the form the hospital make you sign that says paralysis and death often occur with this operation and that you accept the risk. No thank you! I got chiropractic instead and was free of further pain quickly and easily. It was brilliant.

[lynnmac3]

What the good doctor doesn't mention is the form the hospital make you sign that says paralysis and death often occur with this operation and that you accept the risk. No thank you! I got chiropractic instead and was free of further pain quickly and easily. It was brilliant.

[michkahl]

I'd like to know where I can find a doctor that is willing to perform this operation. All of them I have checked with so far are not willing to perform it for me. I have Spondyloptosis which used to be Grade V spondylolisthesis (complete slippage of S1 and L5). Can you help me get in touch with a surgeon to discuss my future? Thanks.