Chiropractic Care After Back Surgery
Approximately 180,000 back surgeries are performed each year in
the United States. For some patients who have not responded to
conservative treatment, surgery is often helpful in returning them
to normal function. However, for an unfortunate number, back surgery
is unsuccessful and leads to progressive pain and disability. Estimates
are that as many as 40 percent of all back surgeries are unsuccessful.
In a study of all the patients who had been admitted to the Johns
Hopkins Pain Treatment Program, two thirds requiring this specialized
program for chronic pain had back pain. Of those, the typical patient
had had an average of three failed back surgeries. In another study,
it was found that back surgery patients had the same number of
symptoms and limitations of function four years after surgery as
did patients who were not surgically treated.
Because of the high numbers of patients still suffering from back
and leg pain after back surgery, the continued search for other
treatment exists. Unfortunately, many people believe that once
they have had back surgery, they cannot be helped by chiropractic
treatment. This, however, is untrue, with chiropractic treatment
being an effective way to treat these patients.
Researchers at the Low-Back Pain Clinic at the University of Saskatchewan
evaluated the effectiveness of chiropractic manipulation on 283
chronic back pain patients. About 25 percent had had prior unsuccessful
back surgery. These patients responded almost as well as those
who had not had prior surgery. Over 70 percent were significantly
improved with chiropractic treatment.
Those patients who have had unsuccessful back surgery are good
candidates for chiropractic treatment. Treatment can be effective
for many of these patients, helping them return to a more pain
free and active lifestyle.
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