RCT to compare surgical stabilization of the lumbar spine with an intensive rehabilitation programme for patients with chronic low back pain
As a chiropractor this one obviously hits close to home. When patients ask me about surgery, I usually respond that some patients with chronic low back pain may do better with fusion. Many more may stay the same and another chunk get worse. The problem is we have no idea who will fall into which category.
Quite a risk considering that the patients that do worse after surgery are really, really in bad shape. So, to find that spinal fusion is no better than an intensive rehab program (which, given that there were no DCs involved in the trial would suggest that chiropractic care was NOT part of the program) really should be the death of spinal fusion. Don’t hold your breath on that one, though…instead, breath deep and visit your local DC..
