JAMA and Archives Journals

Rate of complex spinal fusion procedures for lower back has increased among older adults

Published in Pain and Central Nervous System Week, April 19th, 2010

The frequency of complex fusion procedures to treat spinal stenosis of the lower back increased between 2002-2007 among Medicare recipients, while the rates of decompression and simple fusion procedures decreased, according to a study in the April 7 issue of JAMA.

Diagnosis and treatment of lumbar stenosis (a condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and nerves) requires complex judgments integrating data from imaging, clinical findings and the patient's clinical course. Trials have indicated that for selected patients, decompressive surgery offers an advantage over nonoperative treatment, but surgeons often recommend more invasive...

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Source: Pain and Central Nervous System Week (2010-04-19)

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