Surgery eases back pain in elderly

Surgery to ease pressure on the spinal cord, the most common reason for back operations among the elderly, appears to be more effective than physical therapy and pain medication, a report has found.

The study, funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, appeared in the 21 February edition of New England Journal of Medicine.

During the operation, surgeons remove some of the bone and tissue from inside the spinal cord that pinches the nerves and sends pain spiraling down the buttocks and legs of patients with spinal stenosis. Those having surgery had more pain relief, less disability and better function than those receiving usual care in the first study to focus solely on spinal stenosis.

Previous studies have found mixed results when it comes to spinal surgery, including several showing benefits from drug treatment, physical therapy and rest. A report recently found Americans are spending 73% more on medical care for their backs, though they aren’t getting much relief.

“Surgery was superior to non-surgical treatment in relieving symptoms and improving function,” researchers led by James Weinstein from the orthopaedics department at Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, New Hampshire, said. “The treatment effect for surgery was seen as early as six weeks, appeared to reach a maximum at six months, and persisted for two years.”