What makes us different? Read our Declaration of Journalistic Independence Home | About Natural News | Contact Us | Write for Natural News
Search our 25,000 free articles and special reports
back surgery

Ruptured disk surgery as effective as doing nothing, study finds

Thursday, November 23, 2006 by: Jessica Fraser | Key concepts: back surgery, back pain and sciatica

Want stories like this e-mailed to you? Click here for free email alerts

Email this article to a friend Printable Version
This article was made possible by a generous donation from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition

Get a comprehensive education in nutrition and holistic health to enhance or build a new career.

Study with Dr. Barry Sears, Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Marion Nestle and more at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

Click here to learn more.
(NaturalNews) Patients suffering from ruptured disks in their lower backs tend to recover regardless of whether or not they opt to undergo back surgery, according to a new study appearing in today's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

The study -- led by Dr. James Weinstein, a professor of orthopedic surgery at Dartmouth -- spanned two years and included nearly 2,000 patients, most of whom were randomly assigned either back surgery to repair their ruptured disks or non-surgical treatment that included physical therapy, counseling and anti-inflammatory drugs to help treat associated pain.

Sciatica (ruptured disk) tends to run in families, and occurs when gel-like material inside a spinal disk protrudes through the outside of the disk lining, forming a bubble that compresses and inflames the root of the sciatic nerve.

Patients with sciatica generally experience intense, searing pain in the buttocks or leg, which can prevent them from walking or even sitting. Spine operations to relieve pressure in the disk and return the nerve to its normal position generally relieve pain quickly, but can be expensive and can require long waiting periods.

Roughly 300,000 Americans have sciatica surgery every year, and many believe that if they delay surgery, they risk permanent nerve damage or loss of bowel or bladder control. However, Weinstein's study found that patients who opted out of the surgery experienced the same benefits as those who chose to go under the knife.

Though patients in the study who chose surgery reported immediate pain relief, within three to six months both the waiting group and the surgery group reported marked improvements. After two years, roughly 70 percent of patients in the two groups reported major improvements, and no one in either group reported negative results.

Though the study wasn't able to determine which option is better for patients, research is under way to determine which option makes better financial sense. Also, the results could not be considered conclusive because about 40 percent of patients in the trial did not stick with their assigned treatment. Many who initially were assigned surgery ended up waiting, while some in the waiting group chose surgery to help with intense pain.

However, many surgeons believe the study will have a major impact on the way sciatica is treated, since the study determined waiting does not harm patients.

###

Related Articles

Unnecessary surgery exposed! Why 60% of all surgeries are medically unjustified and how surgeons exploit patients to generate profits

Arachnoiditis - The Risk You Take When Opting for Spinal Surgery

Additional Resources:

back surgery
back pain
sciatica

Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com

Email this article to a friend

Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us

Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/021170.html

Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.

Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE

Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
  • Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
  • Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
Your Email Address:
Free Subscription Code:
Enter the numbers you see:
100% free of charge. Unsubscribe anytime.
Absolutely no spam. We respect your email privacy.

Recommended Special Report:

Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta

Read this special report now...

"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com

More on NaturalNews.com:

Streaming Health Ranger Videos
CounterThink Cartoons
FREE Special Reports
Podcasts

Also Posted Today

NaturalNews Publishes Audio Interviews with Dr. Brian O'Leary, Dr. Stephen Sinatra and Byron Richards

28 Women Miscarry After Receiving Gardasil HPV Vaccination; FDA Not Concerned

The Many Environmental and Health Benefits of Hemp

Codex Designates GMOs as Contaminants in Food

Plant-Based Diets: An Overview of Options for Optimal Health

Beat Disease With Juice Feasting!

NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more.

Own Health Ranger Report Podcasts on Audio CD

Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more.

Featured Videos

Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...

Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...

Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...

Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now...

Free Health Reports!

Amazon Herb Company review
The pH Nutrition Guide to Acid / Alkaline Balance
Pet Food Ingredients Revealed! (shocking)
Medicine From Fish
The Water Cure
The Healing Power of Sunlight and Vitamin D

Featured CounterThink Cartoons

Bariatric surgery


Health Product Companies We Recommend

Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read.
This site is part of the Natural News Network © 2008 All Rights Reserved. Privacy | Terms All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing International, LTD. is not responsible for content written by contributing authors. Truth Publishing sells no health or nutritional products and earns no money from health product manufacturers or promoters. The information on this site is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these terms and those published here. All trademarks, registered trademarks and servicemarks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners.