APTA Responds to JAMA Study on Spinal Surgery

In a statement issued April 8 by APTA in response to a study published this week in JAMA about the rise of complex and risky spinal fusion surgeries among Medicare patients with simple spinal stenosis, the association says, "The study shows that there is little evidence of benefits and a much higher risk of life-threatening medical complications. This confirms that it is vitally important to look at alternative methods to treat this condition, such as physical therapy, which may help patients avoid long-term use of medications and their side effects as well as the risks and costs associated with surgery."

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APTA STATEMENT

APTA LETTER to EDITOR

ARTICLE ABSTRACT

Apr 09, 2010 8:57 AM - Citing a study in Spine that reported that patients who receive physical therapy for low back pain are less likely to seek additional medical care up to 1 year following treatment, APTA says, "Considering the fact that there is scant evidence for performing complex spinal surgery in patients with a simple lumbar spinal stenosis, placing Medicare patients at unnecessary risk and adding an unnecessary financial burden to the Medicare system is simply unacceptable."

APTA also sent a letter to the editor in response to an Associated Press story, "Unneeded, riskier spinal fusion surgery on rise," based on the JAMA study.