Barring complications, surgery can be avoided since most symptoms fade within 6 weeks, experts say
TUESDAY, Feb. 3 (HealthDay News) -- A combination of physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs is the most effective treatment for low back pain caused by symptomatic lumbar degenerative disc disease, according to a review of published studies.
The review authors found that in 90 percent of people with low back pain, symptoms disappear on their own within three months and that most of those patients recover within six weeks.
Those findings indicate that, barring an emergency, initial treatment of all patients with low back pain should be noninvasive.
"Recently, disc replacement surgery has been proposed as a cure or treatment for symptomatic lumbar disc disease," review lead author Dr. Luke Madigan, an attending physician at Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic in Tennessee, said in an American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons news release.
"But the FDA studies on lumbar disc replacement have only so far shown equivalence to fusion for discogenic disease," Madigan said. Long-term outcomes are still to be published and until then caution is advised, he said.
He also noted that the use of surgical fusion to treat symptomatic lumbar disc disease has a success rate of 50 percent to 60 percent.
Noninvasive treatments achieve greater success by helping patients strengthen the injured area and prevent further strain. These treatments include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, exercise, and patient education about body mechanics -- for example, lifting with the legs instead of the back.
The review was published in the February issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
On 8/31/2010 Keri wrote:
I really hope thes finding are accurate i am now taking meds and therapy so far no improvement. I have bulging in my L4 L5 and L5 and S1 the pain is terrible. I truley want to avoid surgery but its been a while and no relief so far.
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On 8/28/2010 Patsy wrote:
Why was our statements inapropriate? Sounds like there are people out there hurting and wanting some kind of HELP. [inappropriate]
On 8/28/2010 Patsy wrote:
As I was saying, they now have found that I have bulging disc in my neck, it leans to the right,and from my neck to my tailbone my spine is as crocked as a snake slithering along. They want me to 6 more visits but I do not think it will help, [inappropriate]
On 8/28/2010 Patsy wrote:
I guess by now alot of you have heard about the DRZ9000, well I have been a patient for 2 and a half months. I am very happy for the people that it has helped. I have in my lower back 4-bulging disc,severe spinal stenosis foraminal stenosis, osteoa. [inappropriate]
On 7/31/2009 jANICE BARE wrote:
The drugs aren't helping me, and my dr. says surgery is not in the picture at this time. The article should have named the drug combinations that helped. [inappropriate]
Therapy, Meds Best for Lumbar Low Back Pain
Barring complications, surgery can be avoided since most symptoms fade within 6 weeks, experts say
