Brisbane, Australia-based Wesley Pain and Spine Centre and Royal Adelaide (Australia) Hospital researchers wrote many patients have unrealistic expectations that surgery will fix their back pain, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
Here are four observations:
1. Many private hospital surgeons are performing great amounts of spinal fusions, despite growing evidence the procedure won't cure back pain.
2. The study found a disproportionately high increase in back pain surgeries in private hospitals, compared to public hospitals.
3. Back pain may be a result of depression or other factors that surgery will not cure.
4. The researchers suggested the industry focuses on psychological and social issues before jumping to surgery.