Not all back pain needs surgery
Maybe it was lifting all those boxes when you moved or bending over and working in the garden all afternoon. Whatever the cause, most of us have had lower back pain at one time or another.
"It's rare to find someone who doesn't have low back pain," says Mayo clinic surgeon Dr. William Krauss. "In the overwhelming majority of cases, that pain is going to get better no matter what is done."
Krauss says rest, physical therapy and maybe some pain medication is typically all it takes for the problem to get better.
Dr. Krauss also cautions that there is a misconception about surgery being a cure-all for back pain.
"Not everyone with low back pain should have surgery. In fact, most people with low back pain probably shouldn't have surgery."
But a small percentage of patients, those who have pain that is persistent, severe and radiates down to the legs, may benefit from surgery.
My advice: if your doctor recommends an operation for back pain, get a second opinion before you go under the knife.
For more information
Dealing with lower back pain
"It's rare to find someone who doesn't have low back pain," says Mayo clinic surgeon Dr. William Krauss. "In the overwhelming majority of cases, that pain is going to get better no matter what is done."
Krauss says rest, physical therapy and maybe some pain medication is typically all it takes for the problem to get better.
Dr. Krauss also cautions that there is a misconception about surgery being a cure-all for back pain.
"Not everyone with low back pain should have surgery. In fact, most people with low back pain probably shouldn't have surgery."
But a small percentage of patients, those who have pain that is persistent, severe and radiates down to the legs, may benefit from surgery.
My advice: if your doctor recommends an operation for back pain, get a second opinion before you go under the knife.
For more information
Dealing with lower back pain
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