Back Surgery for Spondylolisthesis
Thursday June 7, 2007
While we are on the topic of back surgery, The New England Journal of Medicine also reports that surgery for spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis showed substantial reduction in pain and improvement in functional ability, as compared to patients who went the conservative route.
The study looked at the results two years after the surgery. However, this was not a randomized control trial. (The randomized control trial is the most reliable type of research study in terms of unbiased results.) Rather, it was a comparison study that reviewed the treatments in patients who met the selection criteria.
Comments
Saw this study reviewed at a site called http://www.Spine-health.com
My brother had a horrible spondy and only surgery helped him. Plus quitting smoking and starting to exercise helped too. Thanks for covering this.
They concluded that what the study really showed is that best results happen when the patient and surgeon select the course of treatment, be it surgery or not. Makes sense!
You’re welcome. Each person’s back problem is individual to them. I agree that the best way to decide what to do is to work with your health care giver to go over all the options and how they may apply to your unique situation.
Glad your brother got what he needed. It’s great that he took responsibility from his end, too. More people need to do that!
Anne