Surgery For Back Pain Rarely Cures

The shocking question came from a respected spine surgeon tracked down by Keith Swenson, who was still in severe pain after an earlier back operation.

He didn't know what to believe. Two other surgeons had urged more operations, different ones.

And Swenson, who's from Howard Lake, Minn., is far from alone. Even though only a fraction of people with back pain are good candidates for surgery, complicated spine operations are on the rise.

So is the hunt for any relief.

By one recent estimate, Americans are spending a staggering $86 billion a year in care for aching backs - from MRIs to pain pills to nerve blocks to acupuncture. That research found little evidence that the population got better as the bill soared over the past decade.

Please read the rest of this very informative post by the AP because it speaks to the untold number of Americans opting for back surgery based on a doctor's opinion when back surgery is not the best available option for the patient. Surgery is invasive and can be painful when it does not cure. It is also costly whether the patient pays out of pocket or a health insurance company has to pay.